On March 30, Lviv Polytechnic National University staff conference was held. The first issue on the agenda referred to the by-election of the University Academic Board. Professor Bohdan Mandziy, Head of the election organizing committee, reported on this issue. Six new members of the Academic Board were elected virtually unanimously by the secret ballot. These are people, who have recently become heads of departments.
Volodymyr Haiduk, Head of Lviv Polytechnic staff trade union, reported on fulfilling the 2016 collective employment agreement. Almost all of its articles have been completed. Volodymyr Haiduk asked heads of departments and heads of other units to submit reasonable lists for additional seven days of the vacation on time.
He also said that the demand for spending summer vacations in University health resorts is constantly increasing. Not all those willing are able to do it. One of the reasons for such demand is that the cost for Lviv Polytechnic staff amounts to only 50 per cent. The discount for their children is 70 per cent, and the traveling costs are covered by the trade union. It is obvious that this matter should be dealt with by the institutes and other units trade union committees.
Volodymyr Haiduk told the conference delegates about the positive changes in the speeding up of building the cooperative society dwelling house in J. Lennon street. The cooperative society board initiated engaging a new efficient contractor.
All conference delegates were given the text of Lviv Polytechnic collective employment agreement for 2017–2019.This agreement includes developing a provision for material encouragement of the University staff for saving energy. Young scientists are given an opportunity to stay in student dormitories temporarily, not longer than a year, on condition that there is free space. It has been made possible due to the reconstruction of untenantable buildings. According to the agreement, the distribution of flats in the newly built house, where Lviv Polytechnic has its share, should be done the following way: 30 per cent – according to the control list for all categories of staff; 45 per cent – according to the control list for doctors and candidates of sciences; 25 per cent – sponsored by Rector’s fund. The trade union housing commission together with the division of social development of the University are recommended to create and organize the work of a special commission to estimate the actual housing conditions of Lviv Polytechnic staff, if necessary.
Three articles of the collective employment agreement on paying three salaries – for recreation before the vacation, for excellent fulfillment of responsibilities and the one on occasion of the trade union holiday (Education employee day) – raised a heated debate at the conference. Volodymyr Haiduk explained that this is the recommendation of the general and field agreement. It forced Rector to make a remark, «We forgot to add the words ‘if the funding is available’ to this article…».
Rector also said that despite the fact that there are discussions, there is an understanding between the trade union and the administration. He talked about the difficult financial situation, in which the University administration has to work. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine budget gives funds only for salaries, scholarships and 20 million hrn per cent for paying the bills. 80 million from the special fund, that is the money earned by the University, has to be spent on this. The minimal salary raise and the need for compensation included 1480 people. And this means additional spending of 10 million hrn.
Rector Yuriy Bobalo drew attention to the fact how «generous» certain heads of certain units are in making the lists of people entitled to a 7-day paid holiday for irregular working hours. However, it is difficult to find somebody working at 3 or 4 pm at some departments…
In general, the conference delegates approved the project of the collective employment agreement for 2017–2019.
