Banks, Estonia, Financial Services, Legislation

"Of course, as soon as disputes with Hannes [Veskimae] were finished, Nordea lost all motivation to move forward with collective agreement talks. I have sent a letter regarding the issue directly to the head of Nordea Estonia, Petri Nikkila, but haven't head back from him. So, Nordea is clearly showing with its actions that it won't negotiate with representatives of its employees if there is no strong pressure to do so. Which is a totally different approach than what Nordea's Scandinavian units have," vice chairman of EFTL and adviser to the Nordea union Tanel Erik Podar told BNS.

According to Podar, Nordea refuses to discuss the collective agreement because the union does not have a representative at the moment, adding that such a behavior is at variance with the law.

Podar also said that the bank is preventing the union from holding meetings and events at the bank's rooms. According to Podar this is at variance with the law.

Personnel manager at Nordea Estonia, Liina Oks, said in a letter to Podar that Nordea is still open to constructive dialogue with the representative of Nordea's employees. Oks also asked Podar to soon inform the board about a new representative who would have enough authority to represent the union's members, adding that Nordea does not intend to interfere with the union's interior matters.

Chief of communications at Nordea Estonia, Jane-Liina Liiv, told BNS that the bank is constantly communicating with the union's representatives and is open for cooperation.

Podar is still not happy with the attitude of the bank, saying that Nordea just continues to stall.

At present EFTL is looking for a new representative of the union, saying that it depends on if and when they will find new brave employees to take on this responsibility.