Evolution’s staff strike now the longest in Georgia history
Dispute has now lasted more than 76 days as striking staff receive more backing from Swedish unions which have also held talks with Evolution leaders
Evolution staff’s ongoing strike in Georgia has officially become the longest in the nation’s history at more than 76 days, according to the union spearheading the action.
The industrial action by Labor, based in the eastern European nation, has won the backing of affiliated trade unions worldwide, including Unionen and the Engineers of Sweden.
Both organisations reaffirmed their solidarity with the striking workers after their own meeting with Evolution’s Swedish management resulted in “zero progress” being made.
Unionen chairman Peter Hellberg has left the door open for further communication.
But when reflecting on his interaction with Evolution bosses, he said: “They were also clear that they have no intention of having a dialogue with either the union in Georgia, UNI Global Union or the Swedish unions.
“Then there is no room for a constructive solution. Swedish companies operating abroad cannot hide behind references to local laws. Responsible business also includes living up to basic union and human rights.”
Magnus Kjellson, international secretary at the Engineers of Sweden, added that efforts to resolve the dispute would risk “becoming a long and painful process”.
The strike began on 12 July at Evolution’s studio in Tbilisi, where roughly 7,000 members of staff are employed.
Nearly 5,000 workers had initially planned to walk out over alleged unsafe and unsanitary working conditions as well as harassment and inadequate pay.
However, Evolution swiftly claimed that only 500 workers took part in the strike action.
Some opted for extreme measures such as going on hunger strike, with the last hunger striker being taken to hospital after 28 days.
Earlier this month, reports emerged stating that a solidarity demonstration outside Evolution’s Georgia facilities turned violent after clashes between workers and company security.
Representatives of Labor told NEXT.io that multiple workers were injured but acknowledged the action was a success.
Concerns over the strikes have reached as far as the US, where the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 declared that Evolution should not be granted a licence to operate in Nevada at the state’s Gaming Commission meeting.
Evolution is currently in the process of acquiring table games firm Galaxy Gaming, which is headquartered in Las Vegas.
Giedre Lelyte, UNI Global Union’s head of gaming, insisted that regardless of Evolution’s stance on the situation, the Georgia strike caught the eye of union members worldwide.
“Despite what the company’s management says, this struggle is not a local fight, but a global one,” she explained.
“Unions in Sweden, Spain, the US and beyond know the importance of workers’ demands and recognise Evolution’s behaviour for what it is: union busting. We won’t stop until Evolution respects workers and sits down with Evo to negotiate.”
This is the latest chapter in a saga that recently saw Evolution announce plans to slash its Georgian workforce by 1,000, citing “unjust activities” by a local trade union as a factor in its decision.
The firm had previously threatened “larger-scale layoffs” in August following a union-backed walkout at the Georgia hub.
“This regretful decision was not taken lightly,” Evolution said in a Facebook statement, confirming the redundancies.
“It is a direct consequence of the union’s unlawful actions and its negative impact on Evolution’s operations in Georgia, and the damage it has caused on Evolution customers’ view of Georgia.
“The recent illegal actions initiated by one of the local unions have hindered Evolution’s ability to operate in Georgia and has hurt Evolution’s customers, many of which now no longer wish to operate their tables from Georgia.”
EGR has approached Evolution for comment.