Digging themselves deeper into the hole?

A referendum carried out by mining labor unions last Thursday showed almost 96-percent support for a general strike. The poll was to decide about a warning strike on January 24 and a "general protest action" starting on February 1.

Union activists opposed the government strategy for mining for the years 2007-2015, which was designed by the Ministry of Economy. Workers are unhappy that benefits will be based on workers' efficiency, and that mining-production capacity will be based on sales projections, meaning mines will only produce what they think they can sell.

In addition, the unions fear privatization and are demanding further subsidies for the industry. They have also proposed creating Polish Coal (Polski Węgiel), a group uniting the coal mines.

"Miners want to cut the branch they are sitting on," said Paweł Poncyliusz, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economy. "Such a strike would be illegal and suicidal for the dynamic economic growth in Poland." Ponsyliusz stated that a general strike would mean daily losses of more than zł.90 million for the industry, adding that many mines could wipe out their entire profit from 2006 in several days if the miners go ahead with the strike.

"Labor unions manipulate the miners and do not give them the right facts on the strategy," said Poncyliusz. "We do not intend to close any mines. Besides, privatization and [floating mines on the bourse] will not lead to the loss of state control over the industry."