Solidarność unhappy at Constitutional Tribunal ruling

The Solidarność trade union thinks the decision of the Constitutional Tribun al, which stated that an employer does not have to consult with them before laying off a member of the auditing committee, is another "drastic" approach to limiting unions' rights. According to Solidarność changes in the Labor Co de from July 2002 and prohibiting trade unions from posing legal questions t o the Supreme Court, were other examples of limiting their influence. "All t hese facts stand in conflict with government declarations of will to negotia te with social partners," announced the Solidarność authorities yesterday. A ccording to the Union, the lack of legal tools to influence the government f orces it to use protests and street rallies as means of fighting for their r ights. Regional outlets of Solidarność also negatively reacted to the Tribun al's decision. (www.onet.pl) M.M.