Strikes threatened in Poland

A series of strikes have been threatened in Poland, as employees seek to maintain their living standards, with inflation recorded at 9.2% in January 2022.

Last year there were disputes in the public sector, particularly in health and central and local government, but, so far in 2022, it has been workers in private sector companies who have taken or threatened action. The bus maker Solaris, the tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, the food company Pudliszki and the supermarket chain Kaufland have all seen disputes with management.

Improved pay is an important part of their demands but there are also other areas where the unions want changes. At Kaufland, for example, the union wants greater limits on Sunday working, and at Bridgestone there are concerns over the surveillance of employees.