Oleg Vernik: The Krivoy Rog miners' strike [archive, 06.10.2020]
Statement from Oleg Vernik, Chairman of PI Member Zakhyst Pratsi, on the ongoing miners' strikes in Ukraine. As these lines are written, 22 brave miners of the Oktyabrskaya mine in Krivoy Rog remain on strike underground. Hundreds of their comrades from various mines — including women — have already risen to the surface. Their demands have only been partially met, but they remain committed to their struggle. New, desperate battles lie ahead, against capital and for a decent life for Ukrainian workers. For the first time in the history of our state, we are witnessing labour struggle and solidarity on this scale. On 3 September 2020, the miners of the Krivoy Rog Iron Ore Plant (KZhRK), run jointly by the conflicting oligarchs Rinat Akhmetov and Igor Kolomoisky, did not come to the surface. The workers demanded higher wages, which the management decided to cut a few months before the protests, and better working conditions. From 8 September, the "Oktyabrskaya", "Rodin...