The Polish company, PKP Cargo, has a very high level of unionization. Over 81% of employees are members of trade unions. The company employs nearly 14,000 workers, of whom over 11,000 are union members. There are dozens of union organizations operating in PKP CARGO S.A. across the country – but at the company level, there are 12 union organizations – signatories of the Collective Labor Agreement. The five largest union organizations represent 92% of all trade union members – that is over 10,000 employees of PKP CARGO S.A. The three largest union organizations are: NSZZ Solidarność (approx. 30% of employees – 4131); the Federation ZZ (about 17% – 2362); and the Locomotive Drivers’ Trade Union (about 16% – 2339). The company’s management is committed to ensuring financial stability, further development, and maintaining regular dialogue with stakeholders, particularly in terms of cost reduction and process efficiency improvement.
“We have a very strong position of trade unions, especially in negotiations with the employer. However, trade unions’ attitudes to our actions vary considerably,” said Dr. Marcin Wojewódka, acting President of the PKP CARGO Management Board, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl during the company’s restructuring progress. “There are dozens of trade unions in our organization. Unfortunately, there are unions that contest the current situation and do not recognize that the predatory economy, led in the previous years at PKP CARGO, involving a segment of trade unions, has led to today’s very difficult situation. But there are also union organizations that understand the need for restructuring– which has been suggesting to previous administrations the need to reduce administrative staff. Dialogue with social partners is not easy. We have already experienced several pickets and demonstrations – but we keep in touch, meeting in various formats, practically at least once every two weeks. Our goal is for PKP Cargo – where we will save over 10,000 jobs – to continue as a secure workplace with good payment conditions. I cannot imagine doing this without collaboration with trade unions. We plan further talks with the social side – for example, regarding amendments to the Collective Labor Agreement, about future solutions and pay rises in the coming years. However, today we are at a very difficult moment – but we all have a common goal to get PKP CARGO back on its feet, that is #MakeCargoGreatAgain,” summarizes Dr. Marcin Wojewódka.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/pkp-cargo-wysoki-poziom-uzwiazkowienia-i-wyzwania-zwiazane-z-restrukturyzacja-83702
