Pernod Ricard to start talks with Polmos Poznan unions

French investor Pernod Ricard will today start negotiations with the unions at Polmos Poznan, after reaching an agreement with the government on the terms for the distillery's sale. The unions are said to be demanding a six-year employment guarantee and a 30% pay rise. However, since Polmos Poznan is currently operating at little more than 50% of capacity, and with the average monthly wage at a respectable zl.5,000, Pernod Ricard is highly unlikely to accept the union's demands. So far Pernod Ricard has chosen not to comment on its plans for the Polmos Poznan workforce, but analysts are saying it is clear that eventually some of the employees will have to look for a new job, or at least switch from production to distribution. Pernod Ricard's purchase of Polmos Poznan still has to be approved by the interior ministry and the anti-monopoly office, UOKiK. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) M.K.