As part of the international seminar “Paving the Way for Equality: A Roadmap for Women's Rights in the European Labour Market”, that was held from 20 to 22 October 2026 in Torremolinos, Spain, the final day featured a Flash-talks "The Roadmap in Action: Best Practices from Across Europe and the world".
As part of this session, trade union representatives presented concrete collective agreement victories. One of the speakers was Ivana Majdak Topić, Vice-President of RSR, while the discussion was moderated by Cornelia Pöttinger, a member of the WOW-Europe Board and a representative of FCG/GPA.
At this important stage of the seminar, Ivana Majdak Topić, Vice-President of the Republic Trade Union of Workers (RSR), presented an example of successful collective bargaining in kindergartens in Croatia.
The presentation "Collective Bargaining in a Kindergarten – From Negotiations to Strike”, outlined the process from the start of negotiations and attempts to resolve the dispute amicably to the organisation of a strike and reaching of an agreement with the kindergarten’s founder.
In the presentation she issued the need of aligning the salary coefficients for kindergarten workers with the Preschool Education Act and the Regulation. Despite the initiation of negotiations and the completion of mediation proceedings, no agreement was reached on aligning workers’ salaries with the legal framework. As a result, RSR proceeded with preparations for and the organisation of a strike.
The strike lasted three days, and the organised activities outside the municipal building ensured that the workers’ demands were clearly presented to the employer and the wider public. On the third day, an agreement was reached to sign a collective agreement.
The outcome of the union’s efforts was the signing of a four-year collective agreement that secured higher wages and improved workers rights. Equally important was the establishment of a stronger framework for worker protection through the collective agreement: the employer cannot unilaterally amend its provisions, and any changes must be negotiated with the trade union.
As part of her presentation, the Vice-President of RSR also addressed the lawsuites initiated by RSR to secure payment for salary differences for the period from 2024 and the date when the statutory salary calculation came into force. She noted that the first-instance rulings had been delivered in favour of the workers and that a final, legally binding court judgment was now awaited. This judgment will serve as the basis for securing the rights of all kindergarten workers across Croatia. She emphasised that this case would represent another major trade union victory and demonstrate RSR’s unwavering commitment to protecting workers’ rights, securing fairer wages and upholding the dignity of all those employed in the early childhood and preschool education system.
The Importance of International Exchange of Experiences
Presenting RSR’s experience at the international seminar was significant because it provided an opportunity to share a concrete example of trade union action from Croatia with international participants and to incorporate it into a broader discussion on the role of collective bargaining and the advancement of workers’ rights.
Exchanging experiences with trade union representatives from other countries helps identify common challenges, share examples of good practice and strengthen international trade union cooperation. It also demonstrates that significant results can be achieved at the local level through organised action and persistent advocacy for workers’ interests, often going beyond the initial demands.
For RSR, this participation provided an opportunity to actively contribute to international dialogue, present the tangible results of its work and reaffirm the importance of trade unions as key partners in protecting workers’ rights.
Photo: Source RSR