Thanks to the SUR efforts, the "Rainbow Symphony" and the "VF Glory" have been covered by an ITF Collective Bargaining Agreement

The document, covering both vessels,  was concluded between the Vietnamese company Vietnam Ship Service JSC and the Seafarers' Union of Russia on July 1. For and on behalf of the ITF, the agreement was signed by SUR Vice Chairman Nikolay Sukhanov, and on part of the shipowner, by the POA,  the documents were signed by the captains of the "Rainbow Symphony" and the "VF Glory". 

– Currently, the company should bring the seafarers' contracts in line with the ITF collective bargaining agreement and pay the ITF entrance/membership fee in accordance with the Special Agreement. After these conditions are met, the agreement will be approved by the ITF, - Nikolay Sukhanov, Chairman of the  Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) explained. – All new contracts should be sent to the ITF, they should stipulate the  AB Seaman salary equal to $1,836 and  insurance pay in case of death equal to  $110,000.

It is worth noting that Vietnam Ship Service JSC turned out to be very intractable: FETO SUR representatives visited the company-owned two vessels earlier; in general, starting from 2021, they boarded the vessels  of this company three times during their port calls to Nakhodka. Three times the union, at the request of crew members, sent notices to the shipowner to sign the ITF collective agreement and bring the wages and working conditions on board the "Rainbow Symphony" and "VF Glory"  in line with the requirements of the International Transport Workers Federation. However, it was only now that an agreement could be reached.

-The seafarers secured themselves wages complying with the requirements of the ITF, and this is much to their credit, - Nikolay Sukhanov stressed. – The crew of the Rainbow Symphony refused to leave Nakhodka without an ITF collective agreement on board, and thereby showed the shipowner their strong commitment. Certainly, the  campaigns against flags of convenience carried out with the support of SUR representatives during every port call of the "Rainbow Symphony" and the "VF Glory" to Nakhodka,  also played a large part. The SUR, for its part,  held negotiations with the company to conclude a collective agreement.

Recall that the FETO SUR Inspectors revealed the absence of a collective agreement of the International Transport Workers Federation on board the "Rainbow Symphony" back in October 2021, and on board the "VF Glory" - in last June. When the "Rainbow Symphony"  called at the port of Nakhodka this time, the situation remained the same. However, this time, success has been achieved through the joint efforts of the crew members of both vessels and the SUR. The seafarers sincerely thanked the SUR for their support and assistance. 

Photo: FETO SUR