Pituffik employees get new rights after pressure and criticism

The union and employer have reached a new agreement with improvements for both Greenlandic and Danish employees.

A new collective agreement has been reached for the approximately 300 Danish and Greenlandic employees at Pituffik Space Base

This is what Danske Byggefag writes in a press release.

The agreement was reached on Thursday evening after negotiations between the Association of Danish Companies in Greenland and the Danish Construction Trade Union.

 According to the director of the Danish Construction Association, Søren Sand Kirk, the agreement sends a clear signal of support for orderly relations and mutual respect.

– The agreement ensures that Pituffik continues to be an attractive workplace for both Greenlanders and Danes. The agreement also sends a very clear signal about the parties’ continued support for orderly conditions and respectful and binding cooperation between Greenland and Denmark, he says in the press release.

Psykisk pres

The agreement comes in the shadow of DR revealing deplorable conditions among employees two weeks ago.

Here it emerged that the economy is so tight that it is not possible to replace shower heads in the barracks. Furthermore, DR describes in the article how worn-out machines are replaced with older models, which sometimes do not even work upon arrival.

In a letter from Danske Byggefag, they write according to DR:

– The conversations (with the employees, ed.) revealed a trend where unclear management and a very stressed economy seriously threaten the psychological working environment, and where the employees express that a desperate lack of spare parts and inadequate maintenance threaten the operation of the base and the safety of the employees.

The letter has been sent to, among others, the Minister of Defense, the US Embassy in Copenhagen and the two responsible companies, Permagreen and Vectrus Service.

Better conditions

A central element of the agreement is that all employees – regardless of nationality – will now be entitled to ATP or a corresponding amount for their own pension. At the same time, free choice between a Greenlandic and a Danish pension fund will be introduced.

In addition, all employees will receive a general pay raise in line with the increases that were negotiated in the rest of the private labor market in Denmark earlier this year.

The overall result is described as a strengthening of the ties between Greenland and Denmark.

According to the director of the Danish Construction Association, Søren Sand Kirk, the agreement sends a clear signal of support for orderly relations and mutual respect.

– In this agreement, we are taking a number of small but important steps towards equality between the two countries in the Commonwealth and not least specifically between Greenlanders and Danes employed at the base. We are very happy to be able to deliver on that wish, says Søren Sand Kirk

Especially for the Greenlandic employees, the desire to strengthen the connection to Greenland has weighed heavily in the process. Among other things, it has been decided that future collective bargaining negotiations can take place in Greenland – a step that is seen as symbolic and practically equal.

The new agreement therefore also includes improvements in relation to relocation, transport upon termination of contract and the trade union movement’s access to visit the base. Shop stewards and occupational health and safety representatives also receive special allowances in recognition of their role.