Croatia: Forestry union elects new leaders, secures wage hike agreement
The Croatian Forestry Union (CFU) held its VIII Electoral Assembly in Marija Bistrica, culminating in the election of new leadership for the term 2024-2029. Josip Stojanović was elected president, Mato Mijadžiković as vice-president, and Jure Fajdetić as president of the Assembly. Juraj Rončević was appointed vice-president of the Assembly. The assembly also elected members of the Supervisory Board and the Statutory Commission.
Forty-nine members attended the assembly, where they adopted the activity report for the past five years and approved the “Program of Work” for the upcoming term.
The CFU represents workers at “Hrvatske šume d.o.o.” (Croatian Forest Ltd), a holder of the FSC certificate for the group. The union is a signatory of the collective bargaining agreement with the company, first signed in March 2022. Following intensive negotiations on April 16, 2024, CFU secured an agreement to enhance workers' material rights, resulting in a 6.66% increase in the base salary calculation and a €140 salary supplement as per Article 58 of the Collective Agreement.
This agreement underscores CFU's commitment to maintaining an active social dialogue with the employer, ensuring that wages keep pace with the rising cost of living. This initiative aims to retain existing workers and attract new ones, crucial for meeting the company's business objectives.
Affiliated with the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) since 1997, the CFU has significantly contributed to promoting international labour standards, collective bargaining in forestry, and the application of the ILO’s Code of Practice on Health and Safety in Forestry Work, both in Europe and globally.