OREANDA-NEWS. November 27, 2012. A new collective bargaining agreement was signed between OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter, the Company) and the Company’s employees, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

The agreement that shall determine social and labor relations between the Company and its employees during 2012-2015, was signed on behalf of the Company, by General Director – Chairman of the Management Board Mr. Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, and on behalf of the employees, by Chairman of Norilsk Nickel Labor Union Mr. Michael Chizh and by Chairman of the Company’s Social and Labor Council Mr. Roman Lyashko. Members of workers’ associations and of the Company’s management attended the event.

The new collective bargaining agreement was elaborated with due account for the experience in past social partnership and demands presented by workers’ associations.

When drafting the new collective agreement, the Company also took into account comments and recommendations made by Higher School of Economics Research University in the course of legal, social and economic assessment of the project, which showed that provisions of the new agreement meet the requirements of labor legislation and reflect progress in terms of the development of social partnership as compared to the previous collective bargaining agreement.

“The collective agreement is a unique document reflecting fundamental principles of social and labor relations in our Company.” said General Director – Chairman of the Management Board Mr. Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, “I am sure it will be a firm basis for the stable work for both: workers’ associations at our operations, and the employer."

On the part of the employees, Chairman of Norilsk Nickel Labor Union Mr. Michael Chizh, added in his turn that "this is the most socially-oriented document embracing almost all requests expressed by the Company’s employees."

The new collective agreement adds social guarantees and benefits  to those set forth in existing laws and other regulations, as well as in the previous agreement. Particularly, the new collective bargaining agreement envisages an extended "social package" (employment benefit package) that includes reimbursement of expenses for round-trip to the holiday destination for employees and their family members, and the implementation of housing programs by the Company to retain young, rare-skills and highly-experienced personnel, in particular, implementation of Moy Dom (My Home) and Nash Dom (Our Home) corporate programs. The document also provides for the implementation of a program of the Company’s former employees relocation to areas more favorable for living, the improvement of the vocational training and personnel development system, and the improvement of pension programs.

Furthermore, the agreement has a new section stipulating that all employees of Norilsk Nickel Group shall be covered by its jurisdiction.

The new collective agreement will be valid for three years, the maximum possible term.