News

The attached chronology of events since October 1 demonstrate what we have known all along. That is, clients of security companies have a lot to say in how security companies they have hired treat their workers. Unfortunately, in this case, the facts demonstrate that IKEA-Poland, rather than weighing in to help solve this labor-management dispute over payments into the Social Fund, has chosen to be part of this anti-union assault on security workers and Solidarnosc. These activities have included a direct attempt to undermine Solidarnosc, with trumped up withdrawal letters that Solid got through one-on-one meetings in IKEA management offices.



Ironically, IKEA promotes itself as a child-friendly, socially responsible company. Its "Save the Children" campaign is part of its public branding. Solidarnosc points out the irony, in their flyer, that a significant part of this contract negotiation dispute is over Solid's refusal to pay into the Social Fund which provides supplemental healthcare and vacation benefits for children of security workers.



Although virtually all major Polish security companies in the Warsaw market pay into this fund (which was previously mandatory, by law), Solid has told Solidarnosc, we don't have to pay and we don't want to, so we won't. Other than Solid, who financially benefits from this mean-spirited, child-unfriendly bargaining stance? IKEA, by keeping their security costs low. Who is hurt? The children of workers who provide security services for IKEA in Poland.



You'll have a chance to weigh in and let IKEA know what you think about this. Watch the UNI Property Services webpage for future information.



To read the chronology of events and download the flyers in different languages please click on "Related Files"