Aug
27
5.45pm
Two Ukrainian trade unionists, including a rep from the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, are speaking at UNISON HQ.
Eyewitness reports from Ukrainian trade unions under occupation and attack
Fifteen workers at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) – all members of the Atomprofspilka trade union – have been abducted, subjected to show trials, and sentenced to decades in prison on fabricated charges by the Russian occupation forces. (More here.)
Under occupation, ZNPP workers have faced coercion to accept Russian citizenship and sign new contracts. At least 1,000 have endured serious intimidation, physical and psychological abuse, or torture.
This persecution is part of Russia’s wider assault on the Ukrainian people, which has killed thousands of civilians and targeted workers across the energy, mining, health, education, rail, fire and rescue, and other sectors. Free trade unions in occupied areas have been supressed.
Ukrainian trade unions are appealing for international solidarity in the face occupation and missile attacks.
Speakers:
• Khrystyna Levchenko, Head of the Youth Organisation of Atomprofspilka and union representative at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
• Ivanna Khrapko, Deputy Chair of the State Employees’ Union of Ukraine and President of the Youth Council of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine
Chair: Chris Kitchen, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers (the NUM has submitted a motion on the Zaporizhzhia workers and solidarity with Ukraine to TUC Congress in September)
Organised by USC and Unison