KGHM - one union down, one to go

The largest trade union in dominant copper and silver producer KGHM has managed to reach an agreement with the company's management over increasing salaries by a total of 5% in 2003. "As a result, our labor costs will increase by zł. 30 million," said KGHM president Stanisław Speczik. Moreover, the employees will also receive a bonus on 2002 profits, which will amount to 8.5% of their wages for last year. Speczik stated that this should come as no surprise since the company did very well in 2002. KGHM's management is still in conflict, however, with the second largest trade union, which is threatening strike action. "I hope that if one union has agreed to these terms then the other will follow suit," said Speczik. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B5) M.M.