The DUR says that the port’s managing director falsely accused Tikhonov of embezzling union money, when in fact the union leader is being victimised for legitimate union activity. Sentencing is expected at his next court hearing, on 24 November.
The DUR has been under growing pressure since June 2012, when it organised a dockers’ rally at Vostochny Port against the loss of bonuses for working in hazardous conditions, vacations and other social guarantees. Another DUR leader at the port, Victor Sokolov, was similarly prosecuted and faces being handed a one-year sentence at his next court hearing, on 11 November.
DUR president Vasiliy Kozarenko said: “Judging from their behaviour, employers in many Russian ports seem to be stepping up actions to destroy the dockers’ union, particularly targeting activists and leaders involved in concluding collective bargaining agreements. Some have been dismissed on utterly questionable grounds, others charged with criminal offences. We have started a month of action to support them and to bring an end to this persecution by employers and authorities.”
ITF president and national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia Paddy Crumlin added that the ITF supported the DUR’s fight against the outrageous victimisation of trade unionists in Russia’s ports and urged ITF affiliates to add their voices to make the DUR stronger.
The DUR is due to sign a new CBA and Protocol of Disagreements in Vostochny Port on 24 November.
To send a letter of protest go to http://ktr.su/act/detail.php?ID=2929, add your name and email and hit the black button.
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