On May 3, 2021 The strike started on April 27 by the factory workers was ended by agreement with the administration of JSC “Rustavi Azot”. On the 3rd day after the start of the strike, the enterprise stopped completely, only one workshop did not stop – by the decision of the strikers working process of the oxygen workshop was not stopped, because this workshop supplies oxygen to medical facilities, which is essential for effective pandemic management.
On the 5th day of the strike, the company administration made the following offer to the strikers:
For those employees whose salary does not exceed 1000 GEL, increase their salary by 250 GEL;
For employees whose salary is 1500 GEL, increase the salary by 125 GEL;
As soon as the strike ends, all employees will receive 50 GEL cash as an Easter holiday gift;
The administration will not deduct Employees’ salary because of days missed due to the strike.
In response to the offer from the company administration, the strikers prepared a counter-proposal – the strikers believe that the following points should be added to the company’s offer:
Employees of JSC “Rustavi Azot” will not be persecuted or coerced due to their leadership or participation in the strike that started on April 27, 2021;
The inviolability of the freedom of association of the employees of JSC “Rustavi Azot” is guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and the 87th Convention of the International Labor Organization;
Continue negotiations between the employees, their representatives and the representatives of the company administration on the following issues within the framework of the collective agreement:
Annual indexation of remuneration in accordance with the rates of increase in prices for consumer products (annual average inflation) published by the National Statistics Office of Georgia,
Review in order to increase the salaries of the employees, whose salary will be increased by 125 GEL according to the offer of the company administration on May 1, 2021,
Working conditions and other social benefits,
Improving the quality of medical insurance package and services,
Other issues of labor-legal and social-economic situation of the employees of JSC “Rustavi Azot”.
According to the representatives of the company administration, the counter-proposals submitted by the strikers are absolutely logical and acceptable. However, in order to prepare the text of the final agreement and have the signature signed by the CEO, all necessary structures of the company administration must work. That the preparatory works for the development of the enterprise will start from May 3.
It is noteworthy that the striking employees gave a written power of attorney to the representatives of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation and Sectoral Trade Unions. Therefore, the interests of the employees in the process of further collective bargaining are represented by the trade unions.
It is also important that the employees of the enterprise have expressed a great desire and initiative to restore the trade union of Rustavi Azot. Therefore, about 500 workers applications for joining the trade union have already been submitted to the president of the sectoral trade union.
The Trade Union of Metallurgy, Mining and Chemical Industry Workers of Georgia on behalf of the Azoti Strike participants thanks all the organizations and civil activists, as well as the Rustavi Majoritarian Representation of the Parliament of Georgia, the City Hall and the Kvemo Kartli Regional Administration for their positive participation in the strike. And hopes that the administration of JSC “Rustavi Azot” will approach the process of further collective bargaining in the same constructive manner as it did during the strike.