If 3. maj goes bankrupt, workers will go on strike

Leaders of the Metalworkers’ Union of Croatia met today with the Minister of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship, Đuro Popijač, to discuss the situation at the Rijeka shipyard 3. maj, where the union recently conducted a referendum on possible protest actions if the shipyard were to be declared bankrupt.

We informed the minister of the referendum results, in which 98 percent of members expressed support for union actions aimed at the survival of the shipyard, said union president Vedran Dragičević to Hina after the meeting. In the second round of the privatization tender, the Austrian company A-tec, which operates in the metal industry, manufacturing metal structures, and producing electric motors and wind turbines, submitted a bid to purchase 3. maj, and union representatives are requesting the Austrians to sign a social agreement that would guarantee the retention of shipbuilding activities and jobs at 3. maj.

At the meeting, a state guarantee was requested from Popijač for the third tranche of loans for building ships for domestic clients, Uljanik and Tankerska plovidba, projects that union representatives consider extremely important for the company’s survival. The minister told us that discussions about these loans should also be held with the bidder, as they need to be fully informed of all obligations before deciding to invest in the shipyard, Dragičević stated.

This issue could also be discussed by the Commission for Monitoring the Implementation of the Sale Process of 3. maj shares, which the Government appointed last week. The Commission could begin its work after the Croatian Privatization Fund (HFP) and the Competition Protection Agency “scrutinize” A-tec’s offer, which is expected to be completed in the next week, according to union representatives. The commission includes representatives from the Government, the union, the management of the shipyard, Croatian shipbuilding, HFP, and an independent legal advisor, and its recommendation to the Government should be decisive in the decision regarding the potential sale of 3. maj. (H)