UNI Europa urgently calls on Poczta Polska to re-engage in broken social dialogue and collective bargaining

The letter sent earlier this week took issue with three alarming developments at Poczta Polska: the dismissal of worker representatives from decision-making bodies of Poczta Polska, the termination of the Collective Labour Agreement and the announcement of massive layoffs in the company.

“As Poczta Polska plays a crucial role in the daily lives of millions of Polish citizens, it is imperative that the current state of social dialogue de-escalates and that the working conditions of its employees are maintained at the highest standards,” the letter reads. UNI Europa urged the government to take immediate and effective measures to address these concerns by:

• Reinstating the suspended elected worker representatives to the Supervisory Board and the Management Board: Enabling worker representation in the decision-making bodies of Poczta Polska is a prerequisite to engage in democratic social dialogue and to enable worker participation in strategic decision-making for the future of Poczta Polska.
• Engage in genuine collective bargaining with the representative trade unions: Ensuring the extension of the applicable Collective Labour Agreement will guarantee the respect of acquired rights and engaging in effective social dialogue with a transparent timeline for the negotiation of a Collective Labour Agreement are preconditions to ensure that a major Polish employer operates within the traditions and established collective bargaining practices to involve workers in information and consultation on the situation of the company and managerial plans for the future.
• Consider worker demands and avoid industrial action: Allowing genuine worker representation and information and consultation procedures to negotiate the announced layoffs, and effective collective bargaining on wages and working conditions is a critical requirement to achieve an increase of salaries to a decent level for postal workers in Poland.

The letter concludes: “I believe that by addressing these issues, Polish Post can foster a more positive social dialogue framework to re-engage in genuine and democratic collective bargaining that postal workers are entitled to, ultimately benefiting both employees and customers as well as the image of Poczta Polska vis-à-vis the general public and its business partners.”

UNI Europa affiliates in the postal sector are called upon to express their solidarity with Polish postal workers and their union by sending a letter to the Polish government and CEO of the company.