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”Sergey is a dedicated trade unionist, he’s working to improve conditions for union members in the port of Tallinn and for that he’s being victimised. As a movement we can’t let that go, we have to stand up for what’s right,” said Jyri Lember, ESIU chair. Minor or fabricated contract ‘violations’ are said to have been used as justification for Sergey’s dismissal after more than 20 years of service.
An online appeal has been launched calling for the reinstatement of an Estonian shop steward reportedly sacked for speaking out against his employer.
Sergey Mastepan – a union representative for ITF affiliate the Estonian Independent Seamen’s Union (EISU) – has been dismissed by Transiidikeskus AS, a stevedoring services company based around the port of Tallinn.
Sergey’s dismissal happened after he spoke out in a picket line speech about poor working conditions and anti-union discrimination by the employer. He has also been raising awareness about the situation in the media.
Minor or fabricated contract ‘violations’ are said to have been used as justification for Sergey’s dismissal after more than 20 years of service.
The EISU is fighting back, mounting a legal case against the company and a global online campaign is underway calling on Transiidikeskus AS board members to take action to secure Sergey’s reinstatement.
Jyri Lember, ESIU chair, said: “Sergey is a dedicated trade unionist, he’s working to improve conditions for union members in the port of Tallinn and for that he’s being victimised. As a movement we can’t let that go, we have to stand up for what’s right. Making sure Sergey gets his job back and that issues of poor working conditions and anti-union discrimination are addressed are our top priorities. We appreciate the international solidarity our brothers and sisters from the ITF are offering us in this struggle.”
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Source: ITF