The NSZZ “Solidarność” union at JSW S.A. is initiating a collective dispute with the Management Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. in response to the unilateral decision to limit the payment of the “Miners’ Day” bonus and the 2025 “Barbórka” allowance, the trade unions at JSW report. This is not the only grim news for the Polish mining sector. At one of the plants, more than 750 people are expected to lose their jobs.
JSW explains its decision by citing a “very difficult financial situation.” According to RMF FM, the company estimates that the gross amount of the bonus and allowance to be paid on 3 December will amount to approximately PLN 100.79 million, and with employer overheads, the cost will be around PLN 127.31 million.
“Solidarność” stresses that the decision was made unilaterally, without the required consultations. The union demands the immediate withdrawal of the decision to cut the Barbórka payment, the payment of benefits in accordance with existing rules, and the start of negotiations.
“You write: ‘we must convey information that is difficult both for you and for us as the Management Board.’ It is difficult primarily for the employees, because it is they whose Barbórka you are taking away – not yourselves, while collecting high salaries from management contracts that have not been limited in any way,”
reads the union’s statement.
The union is giving the company three days to respond. “A lack of response will be considered confirmation of the initiation of the dispute, which may result in the case being referred to mediation as well as further protest actions in accordance with the Act on Resolving Collective Disputes,” another letter states.
Hundreds of people laid off
The dire state of Polish mining is further illustrated by a disturbing report from the Silesia mine in Czechowice-Dziedzice. The plant plans to lay off more than 750 employees. According to the unions, the reason for the decision is the deteriorating financial situation and the company being placed under restructuring proceedings, “which – instead of improvement – means the winding down of operations and mass layoffs for the mine.”
The layoffs are scheduled to be carried out from 18 December this year until 31 March 2026. The dates may change depending on the results of consultations, which are scheduled for 5 December.