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This long-fought victory, reached on March 12, 2010, is a real win in establishing an industry "foothold" for Solidarnosc. NSZZ won improvements from the largest (number two in terms of Warsaw market share), anti-union security contractor and IKEA was directly involved, supported the settlement and signed a statement themselves about the right of workers to have a union which should help with retail worker organizing at IKEA.



Solidarnosc focused on gaining a "Social Fund" at Solid Security. The Social Fund is a voluntary employer-contributory fund established for employee personal and family health emergencies and for other financial needs. The fund operates with joint union-employer decision-making. The Social Fund was once mandatory under Polish law but is now optional.



Solidarnosc also won improved union and organizing rights. Specifically, NSZZ won access rights at indication (new hire) meetings to sign workers up, management signed a statement about the right of workers to have a union, and management agreed to implement dues deduction for union members.



These are the details of the settlement:

· A newly-established "Help Fund" for Solid employees will operate under the same terms and conditions of the "Social Fund" provided by all other major security contractors. Solid capitalizes the fund with an initial contribution of 100,000 PLN.



· Improved access to daily induction meetings in Warsaw. Solidarnosc has begun these meetings and the initial sign up has been very strong.



· Joint statements from IKEA, Solid and Solidarnosc affirming the right of workers to organize.



· Newly gained access to weekly induction meetings held in four other major Polish cities.



· Union fees will be paid to Solidarnosc. Solid will remit complete union fees to Solidarnosc for members regardless of employer entity. Solid operates under 9 different corporate names. And, Solid committed to destroy the "withdrawal" statements it illegally gathered from its employees through coercive tactics.



Many workers are left to be organized in Poland but this is an incredible victory and creates the opportunity for Solidarnosc to fully organize this market and to raise pay and benefits for security workers.