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Sacked Polish aviation trade unionists reinstated
9 October 2009
 |  |  view larger image | | | Grzegorz Kossowski (first on the left) listens to Elwira Niemiec's address during protests outside LOT headquarters in September | |
Two trade unionists in Poland who were sacked by their Polish airline employer, LOT, have been reinstated after an agreement was reached earlier this week.
The trade unionists, Elwira Niemiec, president of the Polish Cabin Crew Union and Grzegorz Kossowski, president of the LOT Polish Airlines Employees’ Union, were dismissed in July. Workers were also in dispute with the company after it announced plans to impose a new contract, replacing their existing collective bargaining agreement. However, this week the unions and LOT settled on an agreement package, which includes the reinstatement of the two trade unionists.
Commenting on the agreement, Niemiec, said: “I believe that the reinstatement of the union leaders will start a new positive dialogue between the employer and the unions. Tough negotiations on the new collective agreement still lie ahead. However, the unions will now be stronger and more effective in negotiations and in everyday activities.”
The ITF and its European arm, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), launched a campaign to support the LOT workers. Activities included a meeting with chief executive officer of LOT, Sebastian Mikosz, as well as a protest letter to the company calling for the reinstatement of the unionists and for the unions to be consulted on any changes to the collective bargaining agreement. ITF and ETF affiliates also staged a demonstration in September in front of the company’s Warsaw headquarters.
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