On June 22nd, management representatives of JSC Valmieras stikla šķiedra and the company’s trade union signed a new collective agreement which shall be enforced from July 1st, 2015 until June 30th, 2018.
„In this collective agreement, we have accented health protection, upskilling and lifetime education, as well as a balance between working and free time – by allocating free days and organising activities. Special attention and considerable financial support is devoted to young families and employees who have worked here for many years”, points out D.Volkopa, board member and Human Resources Manager at JSC Valmieras stikla šķiedra.
When it comes to additional support and our care for the company’s employees, the main guidelines include fostering of employees’ welfare and labour safety. Both production and administration staff undergoes health checks, and safe work environment is taken care of. The company financially supports young parents and families with school-age children, assisting them when their children start primary school, and paying part of their fees for children’s summer camps.
Credit is also given to long-time employees. The employees are being motivated to develop their skills and knowledge by making use of internal training for upskilling and by studying at national schools. The collective agreement stipulates not only work and upskilling issues but also free time and recreation of our employees. Several events such as the Sports festival and Christmas events for children are aimed at shaping a united collective body.
Third parties have repeatedly appreciated co-operation between the company and its trade union. The prize “Large Acorn”, awarded by Latvian Association of Free Trade Unions for development of the social dialogue and care for improvement in employees’ socio-economic circumstances and working environment, is testament to this appreciation.
The JSC Valmieras stikla šķiedra collective agreement is a complementary document to the legal regulations of the Republic of Latvia. In the future, its commitments shall be implemented in the companies in Great Britain and the U.S.A. as well, uniting all Group companies in care for our employees.
Photo: A. Schwiontek, chairman of the board of JSC Valmieras stikla šķiedra, deputy chairman D.Šēnbergs, board member D.Volkopa, and A.Avotiņa, chairwoman of the trade union, sign the collective agreement.