SIKD: The Fight for Uljanik is Yet to Come, Workers Will Pay for Leadership Mistakes and State Dysfunction

The Union of Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia (SIKD) believes that the recent events in the Pula Uljanik clearly show that such a state is unsustainable and that the greatest cost of the mistakes of Uljanik’s leadership, the dysfunction of the state, the absence of a financing system, and the turbulence of the shipbuilding market will ultimately be paid by the workers who are the only ones not at fault.

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“The only thing that is certain at this moment are two things, namely that Uljanik will certainly undergo substantial changes through restructuring, diversification, or any other term, mostly incomprehensible to the majority of workers, if it is even desired to continue to exist, and that the greatest cost of all these changes will be borne by the workers through their jobs and the livelihoods of their families,” the union stated in a press release on Monday.

It emphasized that the first step that needs to be taken is the shareholders’ assembly, which should show whether Uljanik is going into restructuring or not.

“The assembly can and should show that the option being sought is precisely restructuring for the continuation of shipbuilding. Unions and workers whose future is at stake must absolutely be involved in the restructuring. The fight for Uljanik is yet to come. Let us not squander the opportunity to do everything we can to save jobs and the future of shipbuilding, without which, after 160 years of existence, it is almost impossible to imagine life in Pula,” the union conveyed.

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SIKD reminds that Uljanik currently employs about 4,500 workers, of which about 2,800 are in Pula. “How many workers will pay that price, how many workers and jobs will remain? How costly will it be for those who will have to leave to bear the loss of their jobs and how and from what will they live in the future? These are questions that must concern the workers, their unions, and the entire community,” the union stated.

Citing the fact that Uljanik pays its workers around 55 million kuna in salaries each month, which returns to the system through taxes, surcharges, consumption, and in all other ways, the union warns that changes in Uljanik will certainly change the life of Pula and its residents.

SIKD assessed that individuals and groups without influence are exploiting the case of Uljanik for political promotion.

“Various noise-makers, loudmouths, individuals lacking the necessary education, culture, and knowledge who have recently intruded into Uljanik have sent a picture that does not reflect the Uljanik workers. We do not mean at all the people who, justifiably dissatisfied, unhappy, and fearful for the future, gathered in front of the Uljanik Management building, but rather those who have exploited the misfortune of the Uljanik workers for their political or other promotion,” the union of Istria, Kvarner, and Dalmatia stated.

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SIKD emphasizes that “only an organized worker, through the union, with a clear goal and clear strategy, can effectively deal with problems.”

“It does not have to be through SIKD; let the workers decide for themselves through which union, to whom and to whose reason, desire, and will they can trust the most, but let them not fall for the political platitudes of people and groups without influence. That is just a waste of time, and we do not have time,” SIKD emphasized in the statement.