Gdańsk shipyard workers protest in Brussels

Over 200 Gdańsk shipyard workers have gathered in Brussels outside the European Commission to protest the restructuring plans, which were presented by the Treasury Ministry, and called for the linking of the Gdańsk and Gdynia yards. According to the workers, this proposal threatens their jobs and they won't give up the fight.

In Brussels, over 200 yard works gathered with Solidarity signs claiming they arrived not only to fight for the Gdańsk yard, but also Gdynia and Szczecin which are also threatened with bankruptcy.

"During the protest, we will be asking EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes to support restructuring plans, which were created for only the Gdańsk shipyard," said the head of the local Solidarity labor union, Roman Gałęzewski.

Meanwhile, Szczecin shipyard workers have taken to the streets in protest claiming they do not want to talk to the Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad. According to them, Grad is releasing information as slowly as possible while holding a "pseudo-dialogue."

In the meantime, Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters in the Sejm that work is being done on alternative plans. "We want the shipyards to be building ships," he said.

He added that it's important to create a political balance that can deal with the EC decision regarding the restructuring plans, whether that will be positive or negative. However, he pointed out that alternative plans are in the works. (AO)