Polish miners force concessions after strike

Miners at the state-owned coalmining JSW company have returned to work after a strike which lasted more than two weeks. They were protesting against company plans to make savings of 500zł million a year (around £90 million) largely though cuts in labour costs.

As a result of the action, the unions estimate that they have cut the saving to 280zł million and have avoided compulsory six-day week working — mines will work six days a week, but no individual miner will be compelled to work more than five.

Despite this, the unions still estimate that pay will be on average between 15% and 20% lower following the changes.

They have also compelled the head of the company, who was seen as responsible for the plans to resign.