Lituania - Massive strike at Achema to demand collective bargaining

On 8 February 2022, a strike in the Lithuanian enterprise AB Achema was organised after a unanimous decision of the Achema Workers’ Trade Union Council and the support of 80 per cent of union members, which account for 30 per cent of the company’s total workforce. For several years the union has been trying to engage in a constructive dialogue with the company’s management and has taken all possible measures to reach a peaceful settlement. Unfortunately, the employer has never engaged in social dialogue. Currently, there is no collective bargaining, and the State Labour Inspectorate is investigating possible violations of the workers’ rest and working-time arrangements. Additional tensions emerged when the employer unilaterally adopted a new remuneration system, not yet implemented but which raises fears that salaries will be cut. Achema is a producer of nitrogen fertilizers and chemical products in Lithuania and the Baltic states.