Responding to a request from the Estonian Seamen’s Independent Union (EMSA), the ITF is asking all its dockers’ unions to send a letter to Erik Laidvee, managing director of stevedoring services company Transiidikeskuse AS, to ask him to recognise EMSA, enter into collective bargaining negotiations, return Sergey Mastepan back to work and recognise him as the properly-elected shop steward.
In October 2015, nearly 9,000 trade unionists supported an ITF-inspired LabourStart action when Mr Mastepan was originally fired by Transiidikeskuse. After a lengthy court case, EMSA secured a full victory on 29 June. Termination of Mr Mastepan’s contract was declared unlawful and he won the right to be back in his workplace immediately.
Transiidikeskuse has, however, issued Mr Mastepan with notice of a further termination of his employment contract. The union has told the ITF that the company is making him redundant on the grounds of the difficult economic situation.
Sharon James, ITF dockers’ section secretary, said: “We don’t believe it’s a coincidence that immediately EMSA and Sergey won justice through the courts, Transiidikeskuse fired Sergey on different grounds. So we urge all our dockers’ unions to once again demonstrate your solidarity. Please write to the company to show that dockers worldwide are on Sergey’s side.”
Show your solidarity – send a letter to Transiidikeskuse now.
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