Balchun: Resistance to Change in Ukrzaliznytsia Is Huge

The new chief of Ukrzaliznysia [Ukr.: Ukrainian Railways] Wojciech Balchun feels a lack of power and a strong internal resistance to reforms, he told in an interview to Novoye Vremya.

He highlighted that to deliver, he has to be able to influence decision-making. "Decisions on appointing Board members are taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, and I always struggle to attract as many reform-driven experts as possible. It’s a challenge, but being an optimist, I expect that I will be granted possibilities to make decisions. Otherwise, my mission is senseless," Balchun asserted.

He says he feels resistance to reforms, including at the mid-management level – from directors of departments, heads of regional units, etc. All these managers have to commit themselves to the reform agenda. "It never happens that one wizard changes a 300-thousand person army. The army should follow its chief. But resistance to reforms is now huge," he added.

He explained that according to the national law, he can not dismiss staff who oppose reforms. "Even if I catch someone in a grave violation of duties, I cannot dismiss him or her. I only can start a disciplinary proceeding. It is way too complicated," Balchun claimed.

Speaking of solutions, Balchun underlined the necessity to get rid of excessive staff. It will enable to increase salaries and request better performance from the remaining employees.

Another priority reform is to launch the biggest ever programme of retrofitting the rolling stock, yet it is impossible to promptly replace thousands of cars. "Even if we raise all necessary funding, we still won’t have enough productive capacity. Therefore, as modernization would last many years, we will focus on swift improvement of service quality," he noted.

He is confident that Ukrzaliznutsia has tremendous financial capacity, as it is one of the biggest railways in the world.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda