News

On 21st February, in front of Lidl shops in the whole Poland, Solidarity Union members organized a piquet and distributed leaflets to customers informing them about the difficult working conditions and violation of workers and unionist rights of people employed in Lidl. Unionists demanded that Union leaders from Lidl that were sacked in December are reinstated in their job.

- Either Lidl Poland management abide by the the law in our country or let they come back to Germany – said Piotr Duda who is TU „Solidarity” President during the protest action in front of one Lidl shops in Katowice.

Dominik Kolorz who is President of Silesian Region of TU „Solidarity” noted that in Germany where Lidl headquarters are located nobody would dare treating workers in such a bad way like in Poland and dismiss Union leaders from work. – Why do Lidl managers in Germany respect the law and treat Poland unfairly? We can’t agree for treating Poles, workers and unionists like slaves, we can’t stay silent while they ignore the law – said Col. Kolorz.

- I would like to appeal to Lidl management in Poland to change their policy. It is still time to talk but under the condition that Solidarity TU in Lidl is not discriminated against and can function normally. But if they want a fight we are ready for it. – added Piotr Duda.

In the picquet in Katowice beside Piotr Duda and Dominik Kolorz Solidarity Union leader in Lidl Poland Justyna Chrapowicz was also present. She explained that Solidarnosc doesn’t ask for impossible things but basic respect for workers’ rights. – The employer cares only about their profits and doesn’t remember that it is us who work out these profits. – said Justyna Chrapowicz who was fired before Christmas.

One of the most important postulates of Solidarity Union in Lidl is decreasing the workload and improving working conditions of Lidl employees in shops and distribution centres. – A cashier in Lidl has to scan 1800 products per hour. Almost half of employees doesn’t have permanent contracts, many of them are employed part-time. The turnover is bigger every year and the number of workers is being lowered. In some shops the employment was decreased to 2/3 in recent years. – Said Alfred Bujara, President of Solidarity Commerce.

The conflict in Lidl Poland has lasted for many months. Workers demand improving working conditions and respecting workers and unionists’ rights. In December 2013 Lidl management disciplinary dismissed Union chairwoman Justyna Chrapowicz and deputy chairman Artur Szuszkiewicz and accused them of organising illegal protest actions (among other accusations). It was a direct reason to declare protest action in Poland. The National Commission of NSZZ Solidarność Union called to our members and customers for not making shopping in Lidl shops in February. Union leaders declared that if this action is not enough to make Lidl management change their policy towards our Union the protest will be exacerbated