ATC staff go on hunger strike over wage demands and changes in labour code (380 words)

Published: 12/14/2001

The ongoing disputes within the Russian air traffic control system related to the new Russian labour code"s removal of restrictions on dismissal of employees combined with wage demands; has yet again resulted in protests from Russian air traffic control personnel. With a number starting the traditional ATC protest of hunger strikes, given the legal constraints on withdrawal of labour, ahead of the Duma"s debate on the code on the 19th December. The primary concern of the ATC staff is the removal of the requirement of the management of the system to get trade union approval before dismissing an employee. They are also demanding an increase in salaries of 50%, arguing that the Air Traffic Control State Corporation (ATCSC) failed to abide by an agreement brokered by the Ministry of Transportation between the two sides in June 2001. The ATCSC for its part has refused to meet the terms of the agreement or sign a wage agreement for 2001-2003, despite the courts finding in the union"s favour. The latter ruling however, failed to specify what level of settlement the ATSC should make and the ATSC has responded by offering 10-20%: well below the 50% the union say has been agreed. Currently around 50 ATC staff in Novosibirsk are reported to have started a hunger strike on the 11th December 2001. Earlier plans to camp outside the airport having been abandoned in view of the cold weather and have been replaced with a camp inside a local hotel. ATC staff from 40 other Russian cities is also reported to be planning to join the protest, with Rostov-on-Don, Tyumen and Surgut having started on the 13th December 2001. ATC personnel in Ekaterinburg however have decided not to go on strike and according to Vladimir Suzdaltsev of the ATSC, are quite happy with both salaries and working conditions. The current dispute follows a previous hunger strike in October when dispatchers working for the 50 affiliated companies of Air Traffic Control State Corporation (ATCSC) went on hunger strike on the 10th October, demanding as they are currently, both wage increases and changes in the Russian labour code.

Article ID: 2951