Russia: Heineken denies the strike at the brewery

A Russian trade union said production had slowed at Heineken's brewery in St Petersburg after management refused to grant a 30 percent wage hike and improve working conditions, Reuters reported April 13.

The plant's union leader Valery Sokolov told Reuters on Friday workers at the brewery were working to rule and avoiding overtime, though Heineken denied there was a strike and said the plant in Russia's second largest city was working normally.

"The strike is now going on. Some of the workers are taking part, dozens of people, as well as drivers, which the plant can't operate without. Brewing volumes are down and the production lines are going slowly," Sokolov said.

Heineken denied there had been a slowdown in output.

"Production is in full swing and going according to plan. We have no reason to say that any actions have taken place", Anna Meleshina, spokeswoman for Heineken in Russia. "We have a normal working day. The word 'strike' is out of the question."

The union says monthly wages at the plant, which employs 1000 people and produces some 40 million decalitres, are between 16,000 roubles and 18,000 roubles ($620 and 700). Heineken says the average wage is around 31,630 roubles ($1,225).

The union has threatened to halt production if the company does not meet its demands, which also include a 8 to 10 percent allowance for dangerous work and a 13-month salary. The company has promised to examine the demands within a month.

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