Agreement on Cooperation Signed

Szöveg: Zilahy Tamás | 2011. március 27. 6:21

Minister of Defence Dr. Csaba Hende and János Czövek, the chairman of the HDF Trade Union (HOSZ) signed an agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the HOSZ on Tuesday, March 22 in the MoD Manfred Wörner Room. Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. István Simicskó, Lt-Gen. Zoltán Orosz, Deputy Chief of the MoD Defence Staff, Brig-Gen. János Sulyok, Director-General, MoD Economic and Finance Office, and the leaders of HOSZ were also present at the event.

Before signing the agreement, the Defence Minister gave a brief summary of the series of negotiations that had been going on for several months and resulted in the conclusion of the agreement, with compromises accepted by both parties. Csaba Hende thanked the HOSZ for its constructive approach that led to the formal agreement between the trade union which represents the interests of 12,000 members, and the Ministry of Defence. To draw up an agreement that is acceptable even in the present difficult economic situation, it was necessary to make sacrifices. The minister said March 22 marked a milestone in their joint efforts, because in addition to agreements concluded with the National Federation of Comrade Associations and the Trade Union of HDF Civil Employees, they also signed an agreement with the trade union of professional and enlisted military personnel. The Minister pointed out that the event was only a stage in their joint work, as negotiations between the MoD and the HOSZ concerning a number of important issues such as salaries are to commence or continue next week.

János Czövek, the Chairman of HOSZ said the agreement was the result of fair negotiations and welcomed the minister’s announcement on pay negotiations that would continue in the coming weeks.

In what followed, the document was signed by Defence Minister Csaba Hende and HOSZ Chairman János Czövek. After the signing a short discussion took place between the MoD and the HOSZ representatives.