Proposal to merge trade union confederations sparked by recent cooperation

Following on from the increased cooperation among national trade union confederations in Lithuania, the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation has initiated discussions on the establishment of one consolidated trade union confederation at national level. So far, neither the Lithuanian Labour Federation nor the Lithuanian Trade Union ‘Solidarity’ have taken a final decision regarding the merger proposal.

Over the past few years – after an initial period of non-cooperation – the national trade union confederations have succeeded in building up trust in each other, taking joint decisions and agreeing on common positions. This cooperation has recently become particularly active: the leaders of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (Lietuvos profesiniu sajungu konfederacija, LPSK), the Lithuanian Labour Federation (Lietuvos darbo federacija, LDF) and the Lithuanian Trade Union ‘Solidarity’ (Lietuvos profesine sajunga ‘Solidarumas’, LPS ‘Solidarumas’) regularly meet and consult each other, and hold joint conferences, seminars and campaigns. For example, on 10 November 2006, these three confederations staged a joint protest action entitled ‘European salary for Lithuanian employees’; in a common effort, the organisations drew up their requirements and presented them to the employer representatives and to government as part of the protest initiative (LT0611029I).

Proposal for merger

In November 2006, LPSK developed a draft agreement outlining the conditions for a possible merger of the three confederations to form one consolidated trade union organisation at national level. On 20 November, the board of LPSK approved the draft. According to the Chair of LPSK, Arturas Cerniauskas, many active trade unions, which currently do not belong to any confederation, only plan to join the common trade union movement when one powerful national organisation exists in Lithuania. ‘The announcement of our intention to merge is thus a strong incentive for these trade unions to join us,’ stated Mr Cerniauskas.

If the draft agreement is approved by the board of the other two national trade union confederations, a working group will be formed on a parity basis. This working group will be given all necessary authority to draw up the documents setting out the required reorganisation of all the confederations concerned.

By December 2006, neither LPS ‘Solidarumas’ nor LDF had taken a final decision on the LPSK proposal. The Chair of LPS ‘Solidarumas’, Aldona Jašinskiene, considers that the decision on a possible merger of the three confederations should be taken by the members of the trade unions themselves. On 23 November 2006, Ms Jašinskiene announced that:

We support the cooperation of the Lithuanian trade unions in representing employees with a view to protecting their rightful interests, for joint workshops, seminars and discussions. Before we take a decision on the establishment of one trade union centre, we’d like to hear the opinions of ordinary members of the organisation [...]. Fundamental decisions regarding the future of the trade union organisation, its liquidation and establishment of the new organisation would be taken at the congress of LPS ‘Solidarumas’.

According to the Chair of LDF, Vydas Puskepalis, the willingness of LDF to cooperate with LPSK and LPS ‘Solidarumas’ does not necessarily indicate a desire to merge with them. Mr Puskepalis explained that ‘the methods of our work and values are different – LPSK is a Christian trade union. We will endeavour to settle issues of argument in negotiations and look for compromises.’ Mr Puskepalis believes that the trade union confederations of the country may have sufficient strength without any mergers in their role of drawing up issues for the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos Trišale taryba, LRTT), holding joint events and drafting resolutions.

Forum on trade union issues

On 8 December 2006, the national trade union confederations organised a joint forum where the following matters were discussed:

• whether Lithuania needs a genuine social dialogue (LT0608029I);

• how to increase labour productivity and wages;

• how to create better working and living conditions in Lithuania;

• how to improve the image of trade unions and attract new members;

• revising the Law on Trade Unions;

• the principles of coordinating activities of all trade unions in Lithuania.

In addition to the representatives of the three national trade union confederations, the forum was attended by the leaders of the national employer confederations – the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists (Lietuvos pramonininku konfederacija, LPK) and the Lithuanian Business Employers’ Confederation (Lietuvos verslo darbdaviu konfederacija, LVDK) – and representatives of the Lithuanian government (Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybe, LRV), the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (Lietuvos Respublikos Socialines apsaugos ir darbo ministerija, SADM) and the Secretariat of the LRTT.

The forum discussed ways to improve cooperation among the trade unions and between the employer and trade union organisations; all three national trade union confederations accepted the presented draft amendment to the Law on Trade Unions.

Commentary

So far, it is difficult to predict the outcome of the LPSK initiative to establish one trade union confederation in Lithuania, but the proposal will presumably lead to certain positive results. The discussions and negotiations may result in the establishment of a joint umbrella organisation, which would take over some functions of the national trade union confederations while the latter would retain their independence. It is also possible that only LPSK and LPS ‘Solidarumas’ will merge. However, as of December 2006, these are informed presumptions only.

Inga Blažiene, Institute of Labour and Social Research