DFDS Seaways branch
Trade Union of the Lithuanian Shipping Company was founded in 1969, together with the state company “Lietuvos Juru Laivininkyste”. Then it was a big organization having over 40 ships. About 350 people worked on ships and at shore-based divisions. At that time a trade union had to solve a lot of questions not typical for it. The trade unions participated in almost all the spheres – from recreation tours distribution to process organization. There were about 10 regular workers, there was a library, the trade union’s functions included organization of seamen’s spare time activities.
After restoration of independence the trade union continued its activities under the new economical situation, the functions not typical for it were eliminated, the number of employees was reduced. In 1995 the trade union registered its activity in the Klaipeda city municipality. Under the same name it continued the functions of defense of workers. At that time it united about 1200 people.
In 1993 cooperation with the Lithuanian Seamen’s Union began during preparation of the shipping company’s collective agreement.
In 2000 the collective’s conference suggested that the issue of uniting with the LSU be solved in the nearest future. In October, 2000, a radio conference in respect of such uniting was announced, and in January, 2001, having received responses from all the ship crews, a decision to unite was made. All the trade union members who did not notify about their wish to leave the trade union before the conference became members of the Lithuanian Seafarers’ Union. Then it united about 800 people.
Formal uniting procedures during liquidation of the Lithuanian Shipping Company’s trade union were held before the beginning of October. At the same time the process of privatization of the Joint-Stock Company “Lietuvos Juru Lavininkyste” was carried out, it resulted in foundation of two new companiese – JSC „LISCO Baltic Service“ and JSC “Lietuvos Juru Laivininkyste”.
Along with foundation of new shipping companies the trade union was also divided. Two departments were founded and are still working – at JSC “Lietuvos Juru Laivininkyste” and JSC „DFDS Seaways”. In 2015 when LSC got bancrupted, LSU LJL branch was eliminated.
KLASCO department
Pursuant to the amended LSU Articles of Association adopted in the Conference of Lithuanian Seafarers’ Union held on 18 December 1999, the Board of LSU made a decision to establish AB “Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija” (SC Klaipėda Stevedoring Company) as LSU Department (LSU KLASCO department) on 29 December 1999. Chief engineer Julius Rimkūnas, who was a member of the LSU Board, was elected to the position of the chairman of the department.
After J. Rimkūnas retired on a pension, chief engineer Vytautas Ščerbavičius was elected to the position of the chairman of LSU KLASCO department on 7 February 2005. V. Ščerbavičius was later elected to the LSU Board in the reporting-elective LSU Conference held on 15 December 2007.
On 10 October 2006, the Trade Union of Dockers, represented by the chairman Vladimiras Bendoraitis, LSU KLASCO department, represented by the chairman Vytautas Ščerbavičius, the trade union of AB “Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija” (SC Klaipėda Stevedoring Company), represented by Rūta Mažonienė, instituted a Joint Representation of Trade Unions for drawing-up, negotiating and signing a Collective Agreement. The Conference of the staff of AB “Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija” (SC Klaipėda Stevedoring Company) adopted a Collective Agreement on 18 March 2008 that shall continue in force to 31 December 2010.
After V. Ščerbavičius retired on a pension, chief engineer Algerdas Barauskas was elected to the position of the chairman.
KVJUD department
By the decision adopted on 29.12.1999 by the board of Lithuanian Seafarers’ Union (LSU) it was decided to establish LSU Klaipėda State Seaport Authority (KSSA) Department. Master Juozas Bakas was elected to the position of a chairman of the department.
On 01.04.2003 the trade union of SE KSSA, represented by the chairman Linas Rudys, and LSU KSSA Department, represented by the chairman Juozas Bakas, agreed to make a joined representation of trade unions for preparation, negotiations and signing of the Collective Agreement.
After J. Bakui resigned, Master Vytautas Dačkus was elected to the position of a chairman of LSU KSSAD on 29.01.2007. In 2019.12.14 V. Dačkus was reelected to the position of KVJUD LSU branch chairman and into the LSU Council.