OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2014. The central federations of the trade unions of the three Baltic states sent an appeal to the parent company of the Maxima supermarket chain to begin negotiations over a change in the personnel policy in all three states simultaneously.

The appeal was made in connection with the tragic store collapse in Riga last autumn, when 54 people were killed and there were reported Maxima had failed to comply with labor laws, uudised.err.ee reported.

Peep Peterson, the head of the central federation of Estonian trade unions, said that the appeal is benevolent, yet urgent. “We wish to help to restore the good name of Maxima, but for that to happen, the personnel policy must change,” he said.

Elle Putsepp from the Estonian Trade Union of Service and Commercial Employees, which represents Maxima employees, said that some steps have been taken but there is still confusion over salary policies, constant understaffing and poor organization of work.

Putsepp said that changes in personnel policy should include more emphasis on the competence of employees and the calling card of the enterprise should be content, motivated and well-paid employees.

Peterson said the trade unions today have the means to protect their members who are employed by Maxima and the trade unions co-ordinate their actions in the three Baltic states.