News

UNI's affiliate, STRG, in Montenegro called for strike action in the context of collective negotiations with Deustche Telekom subsidiary, Crnogorski Telekom. Over 90% of the workforce voted to strike, from 15 March 2010.



Crnogorski Telekom imposed a requirement for 300 employees to work despite the strike, contrary to the local labour law. Those workers are also prohibited from wearing badges or other symbols of solidarity for the strike action.



The company denies that the strike had the level of support claimed by the union and denies any wrong doing. The company claims to be "the best employer in Montenegro" and to be compliant with all relevant legislation.



Today, Marcus Courtney, Head of UNI Telecom, is joining a roundtable discussion with union leaders in Montenegro to determine how to ensure Crnogorski Telekom workers rights are respected.



The company has issued notices to 81 employees who are set to lose their jobs due to restructuring arrangements on 31 March 2010. The union is demanding that the dismissals be held until on-going legal procedures are complete.



At a press conference this afternoon, UNI offered its unconditional support to the striking workers. UNI called on Deutsche Telekom to honour its obligations to respect the right to collective bargaining, to stop its relentless job-cutting and outsourcing and to stop treating workers outside Germany with less respect than it treats workers at home. Head of UNI Telecom, Marcus Courtney stated "Deutsche Telekom would never get away with these actions in Germany".