Mining unions planning general nationwide strike over pay conditions

Representatives from the coal miners trade union, have announced plans to organize a nationwide warning strike involving all employees from coal mines in Silesia. It is not excluded, according to the members of the unions, that this will be an introduction to a general strike. The warning strike is to take place next Wednesday between six and eight o'clock in the morning. The protest is meant to serve as an argument during negotiations with the government, as the talks, which have been carried out as until now, have not been effective. "A two hour long strike is what we need to demonstrate our determination in the defense of employee rights, of four endangered mines," said Wacław Czerkawski, one of the trade union leaders. The employee rights, as referred to by Czerkawski, are two additional wages paid every year, as the miners announced they will not give up these privileges. (www.rmf.pl) A.K.