As the chairman of the trade union,Valdis Keris,confirmed,after negotiations with the head of the NMPD,Lieni Cipuli,the claim submitted too LVSADA to cancel the planned changes to the service work organization and the collective interest dispute procedure is withdrawn,but this does not mean that no further negotiations on this topic will take place.
The negotiation process has confirmed the need for social dialog and shed light on several problems that still need to be solved in the future, so the union will continue to meet with the NMPD to discuss certain aspects of changes in work organizations, informed Keris and Cipule.
“The negotiations were arduous, sometimes emotional, but the main thing is that there is an agreement”, said Keris.
Cipule admitted that the talks were “intense and very valuable”. She expressed that NMPD will repeatedly inform individual employees about the planned changes, but emphasized that almost 100% of employees have already confirmed their consent in writing.
As Cipule pointed out, after the meeting it became known about the ”strong emotions” of some employees, so the NMPD will organize repeated meetings with the employees to address specific, individual issues.
When asked about other decisions, such as the decision to reduce the NMPD budget by 1.8 million euros, Keris answered evasively, stating that he “does not want to comment on matters that do not relate to the specific settlement”. According to him, this and other issues should be left on the further agenda and their discussion at the moment would only “open up new emotions and details”.
NMPD has concluded a collective agreement with four unions, the rest of which have not expressed a demand to cancel the planned changes to the work organization of the service.
In the next year’s budget, the NMPD is expected to reduce expenses by 1.6 million euros, and for both this and other reasons, the service will make changes to its work organization.
NMPD has emphasized that the operative work organization is the service’s obligation - changes in the working time, composition and location of brigades occur regularly and do not need to be coordinated with the trade unions.NMPD believes that all requirements of the Labor Law regarding the rights of employees are met, including those stipulated in the collective agreement, and the process of signing changes to the employment contract continues this week.
According to the Law on Labor Disputes, a collective interest dispute is a disagreement between employees or representatives of employees and an employer, employers, employers’ organization or an association of such organizations, or an industry management institution, which arise in connection with the collective bargaining process, determining new working conditions or employment the rules.
The other party to a collective interest dispute shall instantly examine it and within three days after receiving the submission, notify its response in writing. If the answer to the application is negative or is not provided, the dispute shall be resolved by the settlement of the collective interest dispute in the conciliation commission.
On the other hand, if an agreement is not reached in the conciliation commission, the dispute is settled according to the procedures specified in the collective labor agreement. If such procedure is not established, the dispute can be settled by the conciliation method or in arbitration.
What are the key issues discussed in the negotiations between the trade union and NMPD?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Trade Union Expert Valdis Keris
Editor: Good afternoon, Valdis. Thank you for joining us today. The recent developments in the negotiation process between the trade union and the NMPD under Lieni Cipuli are significant. Can you give us a brief overview of the situation?
Valdis Keris: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Certainly! Recently, we engaged in discussions regarding the planned changes to the service work institution. After thorough negotiations,we decided to withdraw our claim submitted to LVSADA,wich aimed at canceling those changes. However,this withdrawal doesn’t signal an end to our discussions; rather,its a step towards reaffirming our commitment to ongoing dialog.
Editor: It sounds like a constructive approach. what were some of the main concerns raised during these negotiations?
Valdis Keris: The negotiations highlighted several key issues that require further attention. Primarily, there are ongoing concerns regarding worker rights and the impact of proposed changes on our members’ working conditions. We believe that a social dialogue is essential to address these issues comprehensively and ensure that all voices are heard.
Editor: You mentioned the importance of social dialogue. Can you elaborate on its significance in this context?
Valdis Keris: Absolutely. Social dialogue is vital in fostering mutual understanding between employers and employees. It helps build trust and transparency, which are crucial for creating a healthy work environment. In situations like this, where proposed changes could significantly impact workers, open lines of communication are key to navigating challenges effectively and finding solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Editor: Moving forward, what are your plans regarding future negotiations?
Valdis Keris: We plan to continue meeting with the NMPD to discuss the changes and their implications in detail. Our goal is to ensure that any modifications to service organization are implemented fairly and with the support of all stakeholders.We believe that through persistent dialogue, we can address the issues at hand and work towards a resolution that serves the best interest of our members and maintains the integrity of the service.
Editor: It sounds like a collaborative effort. How do you envision the role of the trade union in shaping these discussions?
Valdis Keris: The role of the trade union is to advocate for workers’ rights while also facilitating a platform for constructive conversation. We aim to represent our members’ concerns and aspirations while promoting fairness in the workplace. our engagement in these discussions underscores our dedication to responsible negotiation, ensuring that every decision reflects the collective interests of those we represent.
Editor: what message would you like to convey to the members of the trade union and the wider public regarding this situation?
Valdis Keris: I want to assure our members that their voices are not only heard but are central to our approach. We remain committed to advocating for their rights and ensuring that any changes are discussed thoroughly and implemented responsibly.The public should know that through collaboration and dialogue, we can navigate these complexities and work towards a sustainable future for workers in our sector.
Editor: Thank you, Valdis, for your insights.It’s clear that the ongoing negotiations will have far-reaching implications, and we appreciate your commitment to worker advocacy.
Valdis Keris: Thank you for having me. I look forward to sharing further updates as we progress in these negotiations.