The management board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) has announced that for 2025 it will pay employees only 30% of the traditional “Barbórka” bonus, amounting to a total of approximately PLN 100.79 million gross. The payment is scheduled to reach workers on December 3. According to Money.pl, the company explained the decision by citing a very difficult financial situation, having recorded a net loss of PLN 2.9 billion after the first three quarters of 2025.
The announcement triggered a swift and forceful reaction from trade unions. NSZZ “Solidarność” JSW and other unions initiated a collective dispute, giving the management three days to reverse the decision. The unions argue that the Barbórka benefit is part of employees’ remuneration, not a discretionary bonus, and that limiting the payout violates internal regulations as well as previous agreements with the workforce.
The WZZ “Sierpień 80” trade union announced a protest scheduled for December 12 in front of the Ministry of Energy in Katowice. Union representatives are demanding the full payment of the benefit and accusing JSW’s management of attempting to shift responsibility for management failures onto employees.
Source: https://ceo.com.pl/jsw-wyplaci-tylko-30-barborki-zwiazki-zapowiadaja-protesty-73374
