In the face of planned group redundancies, which can affect up to 30% of employees in PKP Cargo and CargoTabor, trade unionists from Silesia-Dąbrowa "Solidarity" took decisive action. On Tuesday morning, a group of over 100 people blocked railway tracks in Katowice, expressing their opposition to the upcoming occupation cuts. This extremist protest responds to the increasing concerns of employees about the situation in companies.
Protest at strategical communication point
The track block took place at a strategical communication point between Katowice and Sosnowiec. The location of this protest was not accidental – this line is 1 of the key railway connections in Silesia, and its blocking was intended to draw the public and authorities' attention to the problem of planned dismissals. Interestingly, the protest coincided with the 44th anniversary of the signing of the Jastrzębski Agreement, which is an crucial minute in the past of the union movement in Poland. Trade unions, alternatively of participating in the celebrations, chose to participate actively in the protest, so as to emphasize the seriousness of the situation of the employees of PKP Cargo and PKP CargoTabor.
Dramatic Appeals by PKP Cargo and CargoTabor
“We have received dramatic calls for assistance from PKP Cargo and CargoTabor Railway employees who are to be released from work in bulk. present we celebrate the 44th anniversary of the Jastrzębski Agreement. alternatively of going to Jastrzębie-Zdrój, we decided to take part in this spontaneous protest," said the head of Śląsko-Dąbrowa “Solidarity” Dominik Kolorz.
His words perfectly reflect the moods of the employees of both companies. Workers are afraid and threatened by the possible of losing their jobs, which has led them to take desperate action. The conviction that their voice must be heard led to the decision to block the tracks, which is 1 of the most extremist forms of protest.
PKP Cargo explains the hard financial situation
The Management Board of PKP Cargo, in consequence to the protests, explains the request to reduce the staffing of rail services, which straight translated into a simplification in the company's revenues. The company points to erroneous decisions of erstwhile management boards and inefficient investments that would lead to hard financial conditions. Over-expenses, which did not produce the expected results, have become another origin in the company's financial problems.
Despite the hard situation, the Management Board of the PKP Cargo ensures that all fired worker receives a briefing. Additionally, the company has taken steps to support people who lose their jobs in uncovering fresh employment. With the signed letters of intent, there is simply a chance that 1,350 people will find fresh jobs in the railway and transport industry.
Hopes for the future, but besides uncertainty
Despite promises from the board, the temper among employees remains tense. Although the chance to receive severance and the possible of uncovering fresh employment are any consolation, the future inactive seems uncertain to many. Group dismissals on specified a scale are always of concern, and unionists' protest is evidence that workers feel compelled to fight for their rights.
The protest, which took place in Katowice, shows how serious the situation is in PKP Cargo and PKP CargoTabor. Faced with the hard financial situation of the company, employees fear that their destiny will not be adequately secured and promises of severance and fresh jobs may not be adequate to guarantee their stability. As a result, protests specified as this can become an increasingly frequent sight in cities of crucial importance for Polish rail transport.
Summary
The protest of trade unionists from Silesia-Dąbrowa "Solidarity" is simply a strong signal sent to both the authorities and the public. Planned group redundancies at the Cargo Railway Station and Cargo Railway StationTabor will affect a large group of workers, and their impact on the professional and private life of many people will be enormous. Despite the hard financial situation of the company, employees do not intend to stay silent and are ready to fight for their jobs.
In the coming months, it is worth following developments in the Cargo Railway Station and CargoTabor Railway Station, as akin protests may increase if the board fails to find a satisfactory solution for workers at hazard of losing their jobs.
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Trade unions block railway tracks in Katowice: Protest against dismissals at the Cargo and CargoTabor PKP
