In Russia, service sector employee unions rarely have a voice. Employer pressure as well as fragmentation in the sector contribute to the more individual aspect of the sector. This sector enjoys relatively more favorable working conditions, and has up until now been somewhat immunized from the economic crisis. Nevertheless the IT Union, a pioneer in ‘white collar’ unionism that was set up in May 2013, is attempting to make its mark.
Its most recent struggle dates back to February 2015 when management at the Voentelekom call center in Saint Petersburg threatened to withdraw bonuses, amounting to half their salary, for a dozen operators. The operators had written to management to criticize unpaid extra work that was not scheduled in their employment contracts. The employees won, thanks to help from the union who managed to decode the collective agreement. Internet and traditional press articles on illegal practices have beco
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