The Labour Contract Approved With Enthusiasm
At Orsknefteorgsintez a conference has been held which aroused special interest of the refiners. The agenda of the conference looked quite ordinary, as the subjects to be discussed were the implementation of the 2003-2005 Labour Contract and approval of the new one. However, it meant a lot of work done, tangible results and real improvement of the well-being. These were the prospects to inspire.
The conference was opened by I.B.Maslova, the Chairwoman the Joint Trade Union Committee. “The last time we concluded a labour contract was three years ago,” Irina Borisovna said. “There are some good reasons for renewing our Labour Contract now. The main reason is the change of the owner, presently we work for Oil Company RussNeft OAO. This company is known to undertake large-scale social projects in all the areas of its operation. In our case, RussNeft has willingly agreed to meet all the obligations of the previous owner. The Labour Contract, setting the rules of social and labour relations at our company has well been fulfilled,” she voiced the viewpoint of the labour collective.
The Word Kept
S.I.Bondarenko, a deputy director and Methods and Payroll Department manager, addressed the meeting on behalf of the refinery’s management. Sergey Ivanovich made a detailed report mentioning specific numbers. “Following the principle of continuous professional development applied at Orsknefteorgsintez, 2 675 employees have completed various training courses. The company pays for the education of more than 50 full-time and part-time students going to Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas in Moscow and its Orenburg branch. According to the provisions of the Labour Contract, the company increases salaries each year. On average, the salaries have grown by 30.6% since April 2006.
In the canteens of Orsknefteorgsintez there is partial compensation catering. The company also provides additional medical insurance and runs an extensive medical rehabilitation programme. A lot of money is assigned to medical care of the employees, recreation of children, sports and cultural functions. The company also renders welfare assistance to the old age pensioners thus showing its real concern for people. Much attention is paid to the housing programme. More than 130 employees of Orsknefteorgsintez have resolved their housing problem.”
The Social Package Better than the State One
Director of Labour and Human Resources Management V.A.Isayev draw attention to the advantages of the new Labour Contract.
“Now with the approval of RussNeft the section of the Labour Contract dealing with social protection is more comprehensive,” said Viktor Andreyevich. “It is no exaggeration to say that our Labour Contract offers guarantees which are even better than those provided by the state standards. In particular, it includes additional leave payment. More than 1 500 employees are going to have it.
One section of the Labour Contract is given up to the youth which is good evidence of much respect and attention to the young workers. As from this year Orsknefteorgsintez supported by its head company RussNeft will allot 0.2% of the profit to sponsor youth activities including various contests, training conferences and so on. It’s going to be quite a big sum.”
The Obligations to be Mutual
“When preparing the draft of the new Labour Contract we had many disagreements with the Trade Committee,” Vladimir Vasilyevich Piljugin, General Director of Orsknefteorgsintez, took the floor. “I would like to express the viewpoint of the management on some issues. Let’s take house-building, for example. Nowadays big enterprises don’t build dwelling houses for their employees as it used to be. The prices for resale real estate keep growing and the quality is getting worse as years pass. New real estate is the best option. But few have enough money to buy it. We must soon receive a package of documents approved by RussNeft formulating the plan for residential construction. The flats will be bought by our employees on instalment scheme. Presently we are talking to some construction companies in Orsk and Orenburg. We’ll try to help those who need it to improve their housing facilities also by accommodating them with loans.
As to the pensions we are introducing the non-state retirement benefit scheme. Under this scheme the employees will pay some part of their salaries to the retirement fund and the company will transfer there 1% of the wage-bill.
In medical care we are planning to partially pay sanatorium-and-spa treatment of those who really need it. And other employees will get cash benefits.”
V.V.Piljugin also assured that the management would definitely fulfill all the obligations specified by the Labour Contract and create necessary conditions for labour and recreation of the employees. And now it is for the employees to work well and efficiently.
All those present voted unanimously for approving the draft contract.
I.Reutova