Carlsberg re-classified as an ‘essential service’ to prevent workers from striking

Carlsberg has been able to persuade the Lithuanian government to re-classify its breweries as an 'essential' service on a par with the emergency services and water companies. This is so they can prevent workers from going on strike, as 'essential' workers are banned from striking by law.

Submitted by working class … on March 5, 2012

Bosses at Carlsberg in Lithuania have struck a deal with the government to re-classify Carlsberg breweries as an ‘essential service’ on a par with emergency services and water companies. The reason for this is that in Lithuania, essential workers are banned from striking by law.

Workers discovered this change in status after they balloted for strike action over pay and were prevented in walking out by a court order.

Carlsberg intend on freezing wages for three years as they claim that pay is well above the market rate, and that the market rate needs time to catch up.

Following the court decision, nine workers have been sacked due to ‘lost production’ only to be re-hired on temporary contracts.

When asked about Carlsberg being an essential service bosses stated that:

“We did not use those words; they were used by the lawyers as they were concerned about brewing yeast fermenting during a strike."

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