Tusk rejects Solidarity strike threat

Solidarity leader Piotr Duda (L), head of the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) Jan Guz (C) and Prime Minister Donald Tusk (R), at Wednesday's session so-called Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic issues. Photo: PAP/Pawel Supernak

“Regardless of the threat of protests, I will not agree to the unionists' proposals, which would in fact increase unemployment in Poland,” Tusk said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, as cited by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Tusk spoke with Solidarity trade union leader Piotr Duda and Jan Guz, head of the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ), at a session of the so-called Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic Issues.

Solidarity had already spearheaded a general strike in Silesia last month, over the government's draft legislation on flexible working hours.

Duda stresses that the prospective reforms would extend the use of 'junk' employment contracts, and that employment rights would be limited. Likewise he opposes the reduction in overtime payments.

The Solidarity leader notes that a decision will be taken at the end of June on the nature of any protest, which would take place in September.

“The prime minister says that he will not do anything according to the dictates of the trade unions, but we have had to endure the dictates of the government and the prime minister for several years,” he said.

“Therefore, we are at a stalemate.”

The Solidarity leader added that if no breakthrough is made, a referendum will be held among trade union members over whether to hold a nationwide strike or a protest focused on Warsaw. (nh)