UNI supports protest for fired union activist in Geneva

Veröffentlicht: 30 März 2009
Google translate: 

 UNI Global Union joined scores of protestors in Geneva in a protest over the dismissal of Marisa Pralong, a union representative who was fired from her job at Swiss department store Manor for her trade union activities.



At the rally on Saturday, Pralong’s union UNIA plus supporters from UNI, the Socialist Party and the general public called on Manor to reinstate Pralong, respect union rights and ensure fair working conditions for all employees at the company.



UNI researcher Claire Parfitt told the crowd that UNI is offering its full support to the campaign to get Pralong her job back.



“We told Manor that we see the dismissal of Marisa Pralong as a violent breech of fundamental labour rights, which are guaranteed by the globally recognised standards of the International Labour Organisation and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Parfitt said in a speech at the demonstration. “Manor is one of Switzerland’s largest retail employers and together we need to ensure that they are following Swiss labour law and are treating all their employees with respect.”



Pralong lost her position in February as a salesperson at the Manor department store in Geneva after she was quoted in a local newspaper speaking out against extended working hours for retail employees. She never mentioned the name of her employer and only spoke as an official union representative of retail workers in Geneva.



After the demonstration, union representatives tried to deliver a petition signed by over 7000 people, including Manor employees, calling for Pralong’s reinstatement.



UNI will meet with Manor management in Basel on April 15 to urge the company to reinstate Pralong and respect union rights.