PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TRADE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA

Regarding the latest information about the increase in salaries for employees of the police, public administration and judiciary, healthcare, cultural institutions, and primary and secondary education, as well as misinformation that the UNZE Trade Union has not taken or is taking any activities on the above issue, refusing to negotiate with the ZDC Government about increasing salaries for workers at UNZE, which deliberately misleads the public regarding the activities of the UNZE Trade Union, the Trade Union Board informs the public that the above claims about the passivity of the UNZE Trade Union are incorrect, and that they represent untruths, which is why workers at UNZE are dissatisfied and frustrated due to obvious discrimination compared to other workers in the public sector.

The following facts prove that the claims that the UNZE Trade Union is not doing anything regarding the increase in salaries of UNZE workers are false.

First. The UNZE trade union organization, following the decisions made by the UNZE SO at session no. 04/24 of 24.05.2024, in June, through the SSVOONK of ZDK, our cantonal umbrella trade union organization, addressed the Prime Minister of ZDK, Dr. Pivić, with a request for a meeting regarding amendments to the Collective Agreement, i.e. with the aim of increasing salaries in higher education. There was no response to the letter.

Second. The UNZE trade union organization, after the decisions made by the UNZE SO at session no. 05/24 of 06.09.2024, in September, through the SSVOONK of the ZDK, again addressed the Prime Minister of the ZDK, Dr. Pivić, with a request for an increase in salaries, payment of financial assistance and other issues. However, there was no response to that request either.

Third. After the session of the UNZE SO No. 20/24 of 07.11.2024. The trade union organization, through the SSVOONK of the ZDK, again addressed the Prime Minister of the ZDK, Dr. Pivić, with a conclusion regarding the increase in salaries, payment of financial assistance and other issues.

Therefore, it is not true that the UNZE Trade Union does nothing to improve the social status of workers at UNZE.

Considering all of the above, it is our duty as members of the UNZE Municipal Council to clearly and loudly call to account all those who have an obligation to engage in social dialogue, and to take into account the consideration of our demands, especially regarding the salaries of workers at UNZE, while salaries are increasing in all other public sectors.

Finally, we are taking this opportunity to, for the fourth time, this time publicly and directly invite the Prime Minister of the ZDC Government, Dr. Pivić, to a meeting, as well as the relevant ministers, to devote some of their time to the workers of UNZE as soon as possible, and to express their views on our letters.

We hope that the social dialogue will be opened as soon as possible, and that we will not be forced to resort to legal actions to exercise our workers' rights.

Sincerely! PRESIDENT OF SO UNZE

Zenica, 21.11.2024. Ajdin Huseinspahić, c. prof.