ZGH Unions Warn about Illegal Dismissals

Zagreb, June 23, 2022. – After the dismissals of Zagreb Holding workers began, the Coordination of SSSH unions of ZGH once again warned the representatives in the City Assembly about the illegality of this procedure. Union representatives distributed leaflets to the representatives in front of the Assembly before the session and gave statements to the media.

Illegal Process

Slobodan Kapor, secretary and legal advisor of SSKH, emphasized that the employer should not have issued dismissals without proof of worker surplus. According to him, the entire process should have been preceded by a business and reorganization plan and the creation of a job classification system.

Composition of the Union Coordination

The Coordination of SSSH unions consists of:

• Independent Union of Workers in Municipal and Related Activities of Croatia (SSKH),
• Transport and Communications Union of Croatia (SPIVH),
• Union of Workers in Agriculture, Food, Tobacco Industry and Water Management of Croatia (PPDIV),
• Trade Union of Croatia (STH),
• Tourism and Services Union of Croatia (STUH),
• Association of Croatian Workers’ Unions (URSH).

Unions warn that the consultation process with workers is illegal, as it was conducted with a body not recognized by law as competent for deciding on collective worker surplus.

Violation of the Collective Agreement

Unions point out that the Regulation on the Organization of Corporate Services began to be created only after the collective surplus was already determined. Dismissals are being handed out to workers even though the Regulation on Job Classification has not yet been created, and its obligation arises from Article 167 of the Collective Agreement . Mass dismissals will further jeopardize the functioning of the system, which is already evident in Zagreb.

Reactions in the Assembly

Among the representatives, Viktor Gotovac (SDP) stood out the most, stating that the unions are right regarding legality. He warned that in the event of a court dispute, the costs will be borne by the citizens of Zagreb.
On the other hand, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević decided to avoid the unionists and entered the Assembly through the back entrance.

Conclusion

Unions state that the dismissals in ZGH are illegal and made without the necessary preparation and documentation. They emphasize that they will continue to alert the public and demand accountability from the Management and city authorities for the mass dismissals and the jeopardizing of communal services in Zagreb.