Members of the Unified Trade Union of the Post of Montenegro gathered in front of the main Post Office on Slobode Street for a warning protest, once again insisting that the company’s management retract the dismissal of union activist and chair of the 2023 strike committee, Jugoslav Marković, and restore his position.

Dragan Mitrović, the president of the United Trade Union, stated that this action is part of a series of protests and union activities they will continue to organize until management agrees to engage in discussions.

“We refrained from inviting members and employees to the protest to avoid disrupting the operations of the company we all serve. Despite numerous appeals, we have yet to receive any response from management. We have also reached out to the prime minister, sending an urgent message today, and we anticipate a meeting with him or someone from his team. Should we fail to find common ground, we will persist with our protests, which depend not on us, but on the director and management,” Mitrović remarked.

He further elaborated that the five million euros identified as fraud within the Post Office, which resulted in three adverse auditor reports, is equivalent to the supposedly unpaid pension of 446 euros.

Marković was at the forefront of the Post Office strike in 2023, which saw participation from nearly 500 employees, ultimately resulting in salary increases ranging from 100 to 130 euros.

He was dismissed at the end of February, accused of failing to pay a pension to a beneficiary in November and signing the money order on her behalf.

Marković defended his actions, asserting that he had indeed paid the pension to the beneficiary, as he had in previous years, and that he signed at her request due to her health condition.

Srđa Keković, the Secretary General of the Union of Free Trade Unions, which includes the United Post Union, alleged that Marković’s dismissal was an act of retaliation stemming from the strike he initiated and the issues he raised regarding various fraudulent activities at the Post Office. He claimed that Marković acted no differently than many postmen do when beneficiaries can’t sign for their pensions.

Keković reported that in Budva, where Marković works, a petition supporting his return has garnered signatures from 600 citizens, including family members of the beneficiary who allegedly has not received her pension.

“We have gathered to shield Marković’s family from distress. This exemplifies the challenges faced by union members who oppose a management that lacks empathy, avoids social dialogue, and employs intimidation tactics against our colleagues. How disgraceful is it for management to declare that protests won’t resolve Marković’s situation but instead, they suggest legal proceedings. Well, gentlemen, trials can take years, during which time families will suffer without support,” Keković stated.

Keković highlighted that Marković has dedicated over ten years to his role as a postman in Budva with an impeccable record, being the first to advocate for the formation of a United Trade Union.

“Marković has raised numerous concerns that have offended both past and present Post Office management, which explains their treatment of him. For two years, they have dismissed calls for dialogue and resolution. The 2023 strike sought to increase postal workers’ salaries from €565 to €665. They claimed there was no funding and that the Post Office would collapse. However, the increased salaries were disbursed without catastrophic consequences for the organization. Who spearheaded the strike? Colleague Jugoslav Marković. Following that, retaliation against him and his fellow union members commenced. Management has scrutinized his every action until they found a singular error: he had been issuing pensions to that family for five years, with that family requesting his signature due to physical limitations. Ultimately, one individual remembered 11 days post-payment that it had not been settled — this was an instance of forgetfulness, something that can occur to anyone. GPS confirmed he was at the family’s home that day. However, management exploited this situation to initiate disciplinary proceedings and issued a dismissal for this one mistake,” Keković elucidated.

He noted that the family of the beneficiary was among the first to sign the Budva citizens’ petition advocating for Marković’s reinstatement.

“The petition emphasizes that Jugoslav has maintained a flawless work record, and they demand that he be reinstated. Hundreds of Post Office employees share this sentiment, as they recognize this as revenge. Management is attempting to suppress discussions regarding financial waste and other misconduct. I hold management accountable for their failure to respond to union inquiries. If Jugoslav and his colleagues successfully advocated for salary increases, leading to increases for everyone, is it just for them to treat colleague Marković in this manner?” asked Keković.

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