The shortage of drivers, heavy workloads and refusal to work overtime have led to growing tensions within the union. Oleg Chubarov, chairman of the Estonian railway workers' union, warns that if the system does not change, the crisis will get worse.
"Staff said it helps. We're going to give up those overtime hours and work the standard hours we're supposed to," says Chubarov. According to him, Elron's work organisation has not recently taken into account either the workload or the limited workforce.
According to the union, the problems date back to 2024, when the first collective agreement between Elron and the union representing the workers was not signed. Workers were still hopeful, but now they are running out of patience.
The President stresses that working conditions have become intolerable and that the organisation of work is limping along. According to him, the burden is constantly being added to the workers' workload and without prior consultation, which increases tensions.
According to the union, it is the systemic attitude towards workers that has led to the deadlock. Drivers, who often work 12-hour days, with up to seven train journeys, face increasing work intensity and decreasing motivation. "This salary is not motivating, and even if more pay were offered, the workload is still heavy."
"It's a mockery"
When the drivers finally decided to stop working overtime and stick to their contracted 40-hour working week, Chubarov says the employer was quick to respond and started pressuring the workers into so-called "cumulative hours".
Employees were made to understand that even if they did fewer hours in a month, they would have to make up for it later - and the end result was that there was nothing left over: at the end of the quarter, "you get zero". "It's a mockery and the workers didn't like it."
According to Chubarov, the union repeatedly told management that increasing the workload of drivers without consulting them could lead to labour shortages and serious problems. However, the warnings were ignored. The same was true of the comments made by the workers themselves - concerns raised at meetings were not taken up by managers. Instead, he said, the employer unilaterally decided to further increase the workload and add new trains to the timetable.
Training that solves nothing
Chubarov also criticises Elron's autumn training plans. He explains that the training of new drivers is often left to existing staff, but without any extra pay or recognition. According to him, many employees feel that if they are not valued, there is no motivation to participate in the training of new employees.
Internal tensions are rising
Tensions over working conditions and negotiations with employers have also spilled over to the trade union. Chubarov admits that there is a growing sense of fatigue and internal tension within the collective. Interpersonal communication is becoming more and more difficult - the heavy workload and constant pressure have started to break down team spirit.
Pressure does not only come from outside. According to Chubarov, there is also tension when some workers refuse to make extra trips. In such a situation, relations between colleagues can become strained. Those who don't work overtime are blacklisted, looked down on and expected to make concessions by default.
The role of trade union president is not an easy one. Chubarov says bluntly that, no matter how things go, the blame often falls on him, even though he says he has done his best to stand up for workers.
According to Chubarov, the real problem lies in the long-term negligence of employers and management. Now that the crisis has deepened and tensions among workers are at their peak, the union is expected to come up with quick solutions - even though they should have been in place before the situation reached this point.
Source: delfi.ee
PHOTO: Kiur Kaasik | Delphi Media
