News

Print and packaging union leaders from all over Europe will meet in Warsaw on 15-16 October to discuss sectoral collective bargaining strategies and international solidarity with Polish affiliate ZZP in their struggle for collective bargaining and respect for workers’ rights in Smurfit Kappa Poland.

A few months ago, ZZP was formally recognised by Smurfit Kappa's Polish management which has however not responded positively to the ZZP’s request to open negotiations and has laid down unacceptable conditions for any meeting with the ZZP delegation. These conditions are discriminatory for Polish Smurfit Kappa workers in comparison to their European colleagues and clearly demonstrate that the SK Polish management Board is seeking to prevent all union activities with the company and to intimidate the company’s union in Poland by isolating it.

Andy Snoddy, Head of UNI Graphical & Packaging said: “I deplore SK management’s lack of openness and the mistrust shown with regard to ZPP and I call on the management board to urgently review its position and to allow the establishment of constructive social dialogue within SK in Poland”.