Union Vice-President Sacked After Inquiring About Company’s Dubious Affairs

Budapest Airport will not be able to put a gloss on the truth with latest illegal action

Zoltán MOLNÁR, vice-president of LESZ, was fired yesterday from Budapest Airport (BA), despite legal protection granted under Hungarian law, with the assistance of an illegitimate shop-committe. The move shall lead to widespread ramifications, and dark secrets of BA shall come to light – warns LESZ.

BA, the operating company of the Budapest International Airport (BUD) became infamous with the deployment of greek strike-breakers, and the isolation of their own employees on strike behind barns of barb-wire and windowless, unheated rooms, during the union action in the winter of 2009. Yesterday, on 22 August 2013 they have sacked union vice-president Zoltán Molnár. According to their reasoning, he damadged the “good reputation” of the company, by informing newly recruited colleagues about the problems proven to be extant at the company.

The real reasons for the action are to be found deeper. Zoltán Molnár stood by his fellow workers when they were being threatened, harassed, when the ruthless new work shifts were introduced, when they got fired on personal antipathy. He helped innumerous colleagues over the years. He announced the problem of dripping wastewater from the ceiling to the authorities – after weeks of company neglect. He raised his voice against the ongoing decimation of the capacities of the workers’ Occupational Safety Committe. He complained vocally upon the discontinuation of the workplace medical service. More than 50 colleagues from the security department can expect compensation worth several months’ salaries after their resting times were denied of them, in case the legally binding verdict affirms the decision of the court of the first instance. A colleague has been awarded a restitution of over HUF 10 million by the court of the first instance for being continusoly observed on cameras and being fired thereupon. Zoltán Molnár was heavily involved in the above cases.

Moreover, he inquired about dubious issues as a member of BA’s board of supervision: malpractice and malfeasance in the security area, fees paid to subcontractors (incuding the case of former legal director, currently facing criminal charges), missed development obligations, and suspicious bankruptcy of the minibus line of business. The raising of these issues – and the refusal to take them on the board’s agenda – are officially documented.

Cynically, BA asked for the approval of the sacking from the self-entitled shop-committe that was elected illegaly, contrary to a legally binding supreme court deciosion, excluding LESZ the largest union at BA.

In the case that served as a base for sacking him, Zoltán Molnár was informing freshly recruited security inspectors about the well documented and publicized problems at the company, what to prepare for. He did this in his spare time.

The investigation of the International Labour Organization is already ongoing about anomalies and abusive practicees at BA. This new case will provide additional matter for the officials of the UN agency. Besides seeking justice before Hungarian court, LESZ will attempt to force BA to reverse its move, by utilizing domestic and international relations. Shady affairs of the company from previous years shall also be brought to light in the coming weeks.

The systemic disbanding of the union at BA must be stopped, as this is in the best interest of not only the exploited workers but of everyone concerned about the safety and quality of services at Budapest International Airport. LESZ asks and is grateful for all and any international support in this case.

***

LESZ is the biggest and most active workers’ union in the Hungarian aviation sector. Formed with the fusion of two unions in 2007, it is representing employees at most companies at the Budapest International Airport, with a membership exceeding 1000.