Mining strike may expand to other occupations

A many as 14 Kompania Węglowa mines have been on strike against fears of shut downs. Miners from plants belonging to other mining companies, Jastrzębska Spółka Weglowa (JSW) and Katowicki Holding are considering joining the protest, the press informed. Solidarity is approaching the government with their conditions. What is more, according to Solidarity leader Piotr Duda, rail workers, postal officers, energy sector and defense industry employees may be on strike as well, “This is not our wonderful miners’ business anymore, this is all of the Polish workers’ business now... It has to do with all of us,” Duda said. There have been no details yet, but the protest may spread outside of Silesia, labor unions reported. Solidarity will join the further talks if the government abandons the plan of closing four KW’s mines, Duda informed. More than a thousand people have been protesting since last Wednesday. Under the government plan, four mines belonging to Kompania Węglowa are to be closed, 6,000 employees are to be transferred and around 5,200 will lose their jobs. Other mines will become part of a special purpose entity established by Węglokoks. The rest of the assets is to be sold or liquidated.