Unions mobilize as KW announces mines closures

The directors of the largest coal concern in Europe, Kompania Węglowa (KW), have confirmed that they will close down four of their 23 mines in 2004. The company's supervisory board and the Treasury Ministry have finally agreed to this move. Almost all of the coal sector trade unions have joined forces and formed a joint protest committee. "We have entered a collective conflict with the management of KW," said Wacław Czerkawski, the leader of the Miners Trade Union. Maksymilian Klank, president of Kompania, presented the issue straight and said he would not wield to pressure from the unions, but he was ready to negotiate with them. "We are obliged to carry out the government program to restructure the sector, according to which we have to limit output," explained Klank. KW puts the cost of closing the mines at about zł. 500 million in 2004, with the money to come from the state budget. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 3) M.M.