The Commissioner of the Metalworkers’ Union of Croatia at the Shipyard 3. Maj, Juraj Šoljić, has submitted his irrevocable resignation from the position of workers’ representative on the Supervisory Board of the shipyard, explaining that he did so due to concerns about the continuation of production and disagreements regarding oversight and operations, while the Uljanik Group stated that only the construction of complex ships can ensure the long-term viability of 3. Maj.
Šoljić confirmed on Thursday that he had submitted his resignation, emphasizing that his resignation is a kind of appeal that a solution must be found. He believes that urgent changes are needed and that new jobs must be secured to guarantee uninterrupted production and income. He assessed that the situation is such that in a few months, if no action is taken, the payment of salaries at 3. Maj could become questionable.
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Šoljić stated that the delays in ship deliveries are several months long, that there is less and less work, and that in the initial phases of production, full capacity is not being utilized and there is not enough material. He added that planned investments in machinery and cranes have not been realized.
He noted that, according to data from the semi-annual report, the shipyard owes suppliers and contractors about 150 million kuna, while at the same time, it has lent about 523 million kuna to other companies in the Uljanik Group.
In response to a journalist’s inquiry, the Uljanik Group’s management stated that the delays in the program at 3. Maj are not new.
– Years of unemployment before 2014, and a long-term outflow of skilled personnel caused by fear of liquidation, lost in 2014 and a large part of 2015 due to the then state administration during the establishment of an identical financing system like that in the EU, and waiting for a decision on work permits for 2016, which was made in April 2016 instead of in the fall of 2015 as in previous years, due to which serious capacities were only available in September 2016 – are key reasons for the delays in the program at 3. Maj, emphasize the Uljanik Group.
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They emphasize that, along with the efforts and commitment of workers, it should not be forgotten that the contracted ships are more complex than those previously built and that only the construction of complex ships can enable the shipyard to survive permanently. They note that it is clear that delays in deliveries result in later inflows and shifts in planned operations.
From Uljanik, they emphasize that Šoljić, who has been a member of the Supervisory Board since October 2013 and is familiar with the details of the operations, published a union bulletin on September 19 regarding his alleged personal unawareness of key business issues, along with a threat of a strike. They state that the next day he sent the management a nearly threatening letter of similar content and that the management provided him with a response on September 25, along with proof of the date and meeting at which he received or had insight into all requested information regarding operations.
They emphasize that Šoljić submitted his resignation 13 days before the expiration of his term without any comment, response, or denial of the facts presented to him.
From Uljanik, they state that it is hard to believe that the reason for the resignation is unawareness or disagreement with the company’s policies and management, and that Šoljić participated in the oversight without major disagreements from the beginning, in more than 30 meetings. They emphasize that a short-term existence on subsidies has never been an option and that the strategy of complex ships, with all its risks, is the only way for the long-term survival of the shipyard.
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They emphasize that all members of the Supervisory Board have been aware of this from the beginning and accepted it, and that the management organized several so-called preparatory meetings with operational experts for better informing Mr. Šoljić.
The Uljanik Group’s management also stated that Šoljić’s resignation is surprising, considering the recent letter to the management on behalf of the Workers’ Council, in which Šoljić stated that he would continue to be the workers’ representative in the Supervisory Board in the new term.
