Collective bargaining at JKP “Gradska Čistoća” Novi Pazar was successfully concluded with the signing of a Special Collective Agreement for employees of JKP “Gradska Čistoća” Novi Pazar, following peaceful settlement proceedings in a collective labour dispute before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

Conciliation proceedings before the Agency were conducted during the final stage of collective bargaining. The parties’ positions on the content of the collective agreement had already been largely harmonised, but the conclusion of the agreement was stalled at the final stage of negotiations. With the support of the Agency, the dialogue continued and the conditions were created for collective bargaining to be successfully concluded.

During the proceedings, led by Agency conciliator Emil Turković, three hearings were held with the participation of representatives of the trade union, the employer, and the City of Novi Pazar as the founder of JKP “Gradska Čistoća”. The proceedings were successfully concluded with the signing of the Special Collective Agreement, bringing the collective bargaining process to a successful conclusion.

Following the proceedings, the conciliator issued a Recommendation calling on the parties to continue seeking to resolve individual and collective labour disputes peacefully before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

The dispute at JKP “Gradska Čistoća” Novi Pazar demonstrates that conciliation can play an important role even in the final stages of collective bargaining, when the parties’ positions have already been largely aligned. The involvement of a conciliator in such cases can help preserve dialogue and create the conditions for an ongoing collective bargaining process to be successfully concluded.

The collective labour dispute at General Hospital Paraćin was resolved through an agreement between the employer and the Trade Union of Nurses and Medical Technicians of Serbia at General Hospital Paraćin. With the support of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, the parties adopted the Recommendation of the Conciliation Board and concluded an Agreement on the Resolution of the Collective Labour Dispute.

The dispute centred on working conditions and employees’ concerns regarding the Risk Assessment Act. Rather than allowing the disagreements to escalate further, the proceedings created an opportunity for direct discussion of the employees’ demands and the ways in which these issues could be considered and addressed within the institution.

The proceedings were led by Agency conciliator Dragana Miletić, and the Conciliation Board unanimously adopted a Recommendation setting out specific next steps. The parties agreed to continue considering issues related to working conditions and the implementation of the Risk Assessment Act through further dialogue, with the active participation of employees, and to work together towards finding appropriate solutions.

The agreement reached by the parties was formalised in an Agreement on the Resolution of the Collective Labour Dispute, through which they committed to continuing cooperation and social dialogue, with the aim of improving working conditions and the material and social status of employees, while also enhancing the functioning of the institution and preserving its reputation.

The resolution reached at General Hospital Paraćin demonstrates that peaceful settlement of a dispute does not necessarily have to end with an agreement on the disputed issue alone. It can also establish a mechanism for continuing dialogue and addressing the issues that led to the dispute in the first place.

A dispute between the United Trade Unions of Serbia “Sloga” and the School with a Dormitory for Students with Hearing Impairments in Kragujevac was successfully resolved through conciliation proceedings before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

At the very first hearing, the parties reached full agreement on all disputed issues and concluded an Agreement on the Resolution of the Collective Labour Dispute.

The dispute concerned the exercise of the right to trade union organisation and activities, specifically the provision of adequate premises and technical conditions for the operation of the trade union within the institution.

During the proceedings, the possibilities for resolving the disputed issues were considered through constructive dialogue between the representatives of the trade union and the employer. At the conciliator’s suggestion, a joint inspection of the institution’s premises was also conducted. In this way, a concrete and sustainable solution was found that enables the trade union to operate without hindrance, while at the same time taking into account the specific nature of the School’s activities and the need for the educational process to proceed without disruption.

The agreement regulates the provision of a dedicated room for trade union activities and meetings, the installation of a separate trade union notice board, the use of technical equipment and communication resources, as well as other matters relevant to the unhindered exercise of trade union activities.

The proceedings were led by Jelena Čanović Spasojević, a conciliator at the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, who chaired the Conciliation Board.

The successful resolution of this dispute at the very first hearing demonstrates the value of peaceful settlement of collective labour disputes. Issues directly affecting relations between the employer and the trade union were resolved through dialogue and agreement, without further escalation of the dispute.

Proceedings before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes have successfully concluded a collective labour dispute between the Industrial Trade Union of Serbia and DAD Draxlmaier Automotive d.o.o. Zrenjanin, concerning the method of payment of trade union membership fees.

Nenad Domjeskov was appointed as the conciliator handling the case, and a Conciliation Board was established, comprising, in addition to the conciliator, representatives of the trade union and the employer. During the proceedings, the parties presented their positions and considered the documentation and circumstances that had led to the dispute.

Through the skilful conduct of the proceedings by conciliator Nenad Domjeskov, and through open dialogue and an exchange of arguments, the parties brought their positions closer and clarified the issues that were the subject of the dispute. The representative of the Industrial Trade Union of Serbia accepted the arguments presented by the employer's representative, following which the Conciliation Board unanimously adopted a Recommendation on how to resolve the dispute.

The Recommendation established the procedure for the future payment of trade union membership fees and advised the parties to resolve any potential future disputes through dialogue and cooperation, based on mutual respect.

By successfully concluding the proceedings, the parties demonstrated their willingness to address contentious issues through social dialogue and cooperation. This once again confirmed the importance of peaceful settlement of collective labour disputes in finding mutually acceptable solutions, maintaining good relations and strengthening social dialogue.

Conciliation proceedings were conducted before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes in a collective labour dispute between JKP “Temerin” and the Independent Trade Union of JKP “Temerin” concerning the conclusion of a new collective agreement. The proceedings resulted in the parties moving closer towards common ground and in the adoption of a conciliator’s Recommendation, providing a basis for the continuation of collective bargaining and the pursuit of an amicable solution.

The proceedings were initiated due to disagreements between the parties during the collective bargaining process, primarily concerning the coefficient system for calculating wages, the valuation of working conditions, the implementation of the Risk Assessment Act, and certain material rights of employees. During the proceedings, led by Agency conciliator Milica Midžović, hearings were held at which the parties presented their positions and proposals and considered possibilities for reaching a compromise.

Taking into account the progress achieved during the proceedings and the constructive approach of both parties, the conciliator assessed that there were realistic prospects for resolving the remaining disputed issues by mutual agreement. Through the Recommendation, the parties were encouraged to continue collective bargaining in good faith, based on mutual trust and respect, with the aim of concluding a new collective agreement.

This case once again demonstrates the importance of peaceful settlement of collective labour disputes as a mechanism that enables the parties, with the professional support of a conciliator, to maintain social dialogue and seek a sustainable and mutually acceptable solution through direct negotiations.

On the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the University of Priština temporarily located in Kosovska Mitrovica and the 55th anniversary of this higher education institution, the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes was awarded the Vidovdan Plaque in recognition of its contribution to the development of cooperation and the support provided to the University. The award was received on behalf of the Agency by its Director, Dr Ivica Lazović.

“Some awards have a special significance precisely because they are unexpected. The Vidovdan Plaque, which I received on behalf of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, is truly a great honour. At the same time, it represents an encouragement to continue supporting the University in its mission, as it is an institution that has been preserving knowledge, education and the identity of our people in Kosovo and Metohija for decades. This recognition also belongs to all employees of the Agency, whose work has contributed to us being recognised as a reliable partner and friend of the University,” said the Director of the Agency, Dr Ivica Lazović.

The Vidovdan Plaque represents a significant recognition for the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes and confirms the successful cooperation established with the University of Priština temporarily located in Kosovska Mitrovica. For many years, the two institutions have successfully cooperated through joint professional activities, the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as through support for the development of peaceful settlement of labour disputes, social dialogue and labour law practice.

This recognition further strengthens the commitment of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes to continue developing partnerships with higher education institutions and, in cooperation with the academic community, contribute to the advancement of labour law expertise, strengthening of social dialogue and promotion of peaceful settlement of labour disputes.