News

UNI Commerce affiliate FSLC and its company-based trade union Solidaritatea have successfully concluded their collective agreement negotiations with Metro Cash & Carry. The agreement will improve working conditions and wages at the German commerce multinational, and establish a social dialogue.

The negotiations were conducted by the recently established National Trade Union Solidaritatea that organises within Metro Cash&Carry in Romania. Though it has only existed since November 2007, Solidaritatea already comprises about 800 employees from the Metro Cash&Carry group. Continuous organising campaigns resulting in a steady increase in membership.

The new agreement gives a 9,5% increase in wages, a loyalty bonus after five years of employment, and a ten per cent bonus for work on Saturdays and Sundays, increased from seven. It also provides for three free paid days each month for union representatives, and includes a focus on improving working conditions further.

When approached by the union two years ago, the METRO Cash&Carry Romanian management readily agreed to its employees joining their trade union. UNI Commerce Global Union and the Metro Cash & Carry group management in Germany were also involved in a positive way in establishing a constructive social dialogue relationship.

- My general impression is that they are genuinely interested in developing our current good relations and that has been strengthened by the agreement where we establish a social dialogue, says FSLC President Vasile Gogescu.

The current national collective agreement for the commerce sector gave an increase on 18 % of the basic salaries. FSLC was satisfied with the result and looks forward to new negotiations with the employers’ association.

The Romanian legislation states that it is mandatory for a company to negotiate every year at least about the following issues: salaries, working hours, leave, and working conditions. Other issues can be brought up by the partners as they may see fit like for example establishing a social dialogue at company level.

Supported by Danish affiliates HK and HK Handel, UNI Commerce is engaged in an intensive organising project in the Romanian commerce sector. In Metro, German affiliate ver.di has helped to train workers' representatives in social dialogue skills. The results have been good and the union has already established itself solidly in large parts of the country's growing large-scale retail and distribution industry.

Supported by Danish affiliates HK and HK Handel, UNI Commerce is engaged in an intensive organising project in the Romanian commerce sector. The results have been good and the union has already established itself solidly in large parts of the country's growing large-scale retail and distribution industry.