Anti-union liberal, supporter of employers, representative of the elite. This opinion about Donald Tusk is held not only by political opponents, but also by many trade union activists who still cannot forgive him for some of his decisions during the rule of the PO-PSL coalition, in particular the increase in the retirement age. So it’s hardly surprising that after the last elections, not all trade union headquarters opened champagne.
— There are concerns, but it is not the same coalition anymore because PO and PSL are joined by the Left and Poland 2050. Society has changed, there is no return to saving on social policy. We hope that the new majority learned its lesson – point out trade unionists.
Instead of fighting moods, we are waiting – with reserve – for the first decisions of the future government, in particular the introduction of the announced salary increases in the budget. Reshuffles are also inevitable. There are going to be at least four more prosperous years for the All-Poland Agreement of Trade Unions (OPZZ), and perhaps also the Trade Union Forum (FZZ). These trade union headquarters were not cherished by the outgoing government. Solidarity will lose its current influence and will most likely take over the role of critic of Donald Tusk’s cabinet. This is where the new government should expect possible tensions.
Will wars return?
Hardly anyone remembers that in June 2013, three nationwide trade unions – Solidarity, OPZZ and FZZ – left the tripartite commission, which was the then forum for dialogue between the government, trade unionists and employers. It was a form of activists’ opposition to Donald Tusk’s government ignoring their voice and favoring employers. The final straw was the government’s amendment to the Labor Code, which made it possible to extend working time settlement periods, which means – to put it simply – more favorable settlement of overtime for companies. Does the new government have to take into account that old conflicts will revive after taking power?
Trade unionists will certainly look at the hands of the new government, but this does not have to mean an automatic return to disputes.
— There are some concerns about the new government. They are expressed in particular by activists with longer experience who remember the period of government of the PO-PSL coalition. However, most of them are positive and are waiting for a new “opening” in government-trade union relations – points out Piotr Ostrowski, chairman of OPZZ.
In his opinion, there are many indications that politicians have learned their lesson.
— If they did not understand that they lost power eight years ago because they did not listen to public voices, it may turn out that history will repeat itself and PiS will triumphantly return to power. I want to believe that the new majority understands this, wants to listen and dialogue. We give credit of trust and are open to cooperation – adds the head of OPZZ.
Dorota Gardias, chairwoman of FZZ, assesses the situation similarly.
— There’s no point in thinking in terms of differences and what could go wrong for now. We want to focus on restoring social dialogue and not dealing with employee issues in the way that has been done in recent years. First of all, we will monitor the implementation of promises regarding raises for the budget and teachers – emphasizes the head of the trade union headquarters.
Read also: End of the Sunday trading ban? With the Left in government, it’s not so certain
It’s a different government, different trade unions
The situation of both sides – trade unionists and the government – has changed significantly compared to 2013. Trade union headquarters are no longer so uniform. In recent years, Solidarity has chosen a separate path – it cooperated with PiS, including formally by signing agreements with Andrzej Duda and the government of Mateusz Morawiecki. In this way, this organization managed to achieve many beneficial solutions, including recently, for example, “unlocking” bridge pensions and strengthening the protection of employees, including trade unionists, against dismissal. The remaining social partners, i.e. OPZZ and FZZ (and employers’ organizations) could not count on such special considerations. Although there were never formal splits in the entire trade union movement, the last two headquarters mentioned protested against dividing unions into “better and worse”.
However, the government is also inconsistent. Previously, the coalition was formed by the very strong PO and the much smaller PSL. The current majority is formed by four parties, and the advantage of the Civic Coalition is not that significant. In addition, the government includes the Left, which will most likely fill the position of minister of family and social policy, which is – next to the Ministry of Finance – a key position for trade unionists. The presence of this party in the government gives activists a guarantee, of course “on paper” for now, that the new government will not surprise employees with unfavorable changes to the Labor Code or pension regulations.
It must also be admitted that the political course within KO itself has changed over the last eight years. The party’s program has “shifted to the left”, as exemplified by proposals for significant increases in the budget, the fight against wage inequalities, and the payment of the so-called grandma’s.
Who will get stronger?
It is also no secret that OPZZ traditionally cooperates closely with the Left. The party introduced many of the union’s program proposals into its program, including shortening working hours, ensuring the right to two free Sundays a month, and changes in the so-called widow’s pension. Therefore, it can be expected that over the next four years, this organization will have a greater impact on employment conditions and changes in the Labor Code, pension regulations, and benefits. etc. It will therefore take the position that “Solidarity” has occupied in recent years. The latter will probably take over the role of the main opponent of the new government, which is also understandable, because for eight years – in the name of good cooperation with PiS – She had to bite her tongue many times, for example when it came to public sector salaries, internship pensions or the teachers’ strike.
“There are difficult times ahead of us, but Solidarity has always gone against the grain and beautiful things have arisen from this. We are a unique trade union that cares about employee rights, but also about our values. We are the only institution that has cleansed itself of secret collaborators in this way. We will continue to do our own thing, often alone, but we don’t care. That is why we appealed to the Marshal of Hołownia to do so unfreezed our most important project of seniority pensions. We will also take care of the child of Solidarity – the Institute of National Remembrance. – emphasized Chairman Piotr Duda, quoted by Tygodnik Solidarność.
On the other hand, it must be admitted that even Solidarity, the organization most hostile to Donald Tusk and KO, softens its tone somewhat and is not solely critical of the new parliamentary majority. Piotr Duda spoke positively, among others: regarding the recently passed law, which provides that if December 24 falls on a Sunday (as it is this year), trading will be conducted on two consecutive Sundays before Christmas Eve.
“Decision of the Sejm to change the trading day of Sunday, December 24, to Sunday, December 10 is a good solution, especially for trade workers and their families, and meets the demands of Solidarity” – said Piotr Duda, quoted by PAP.
He also emphasized that work on this “postponed” shopping Sunday should only take place until 14, and the lack of such a reservation means that “left-liberal groups treat women as objects, and their rights written on electoral banners are only empty slogans.” Despite this, it is impossible not to notice at least a slight nod to the new majority.
However, there are flashpoints
So, will we see perfect cooperation between the government and trade unions in the new term? Cooperation can at least be good, as long as the parties avoid potential reefs. However, there is no shortage of the latter, especially at the beginning of the new term. The flashpoint may be primarily the issue of budget increases. If the new government does not increase teachers’ salaries – as promised – o 30 proc. and other employees o 20 proc., it must take into account a dispute with the trade union headquarters. Wages in the budget sphere are now the most sensitive point and, on the other hand, if the government implements the announced wage increase, it will not only convince at least some trade unionists, but also politically he could praise the good “opening” of the new team.
Another flash point may be the breaking of other election promises, including in the field of social policy. During the campaign, coalition politicians emphasized, among others: that “nothing given will be taken away”, which meant that the government would maintain the social transfers introduced by PiS, including 500 plus (from January 800 plus) and thirteenth and fourteenth pensions. This is a sensitive issue, especially when it comes to thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds. After the elections, some representatives of the new parliamentary majority began to suggest that there are better solutions for seniors than additional annual benefits.
It is hard not to notice that the possible cancellation of the Sunday trading ban may also be a source of conflict. This may be in particular “fuel” for Solidarity, which is hostile to Tusk, because it was this union that initiated the ban. The new government should not downplay this issue. The trade employs approx. 1.6 million peoplemostly women. Taking away their Sundays off, even in exchange for higher rates of pay, may be a bigger problem than the government thinks, which is noticed by, for example, Solidarity (judging by Piotr Duda’s statement quoted earlier).
There are other issues that may cause differences of opinion.
— We have doubts, for example, about the proposal to finance sick leave from ZUS from the first day of absence from work. In practice, this means that this cost will be financed from contributions or a budget subsidy to ZUS, i.e passed on to employees. This solution requires a solid analysis, points out Piotr Ostrowski.
Read also: Laid off employees return to companies, but not all of them. There is a precedent for refusal [TYLKO U NAS]
Partnerships are necessary
The government should also strengthen social dialogue. In recent years, the Social Dialogue Council, the successor of the tripartite commission, has been marginalized in practice, as we wrote in Business Insider. It was convenient for the government because it did not have to take into account the strong, unified voice of social partners.
— We only look to the future and believe that we can end political trysts and start a real dialogue. Each new Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers is treated by FZZ with the same respect and openness to cooperation in key matters. What will Donald Tusk do with this capital? We will see. It would be extremely irresponsible of us to adopt an attitude that refers to the past. We are here and now, there are many important issues for employees to deal with, emphasizes Dorata Gardias.
Trade unionists hope that the quality of talks with the government will improve.
— The coalition agreement contains many very important obligations, we assess it positively. But it lacks a clear, separate point about strengthening the dialogue between the government, trade unions and employers. Currently, the government chairs the Social Dialogue Council and it will be important who on behalf of the government takes over the presidency. A good signal would be the appearance of the new Prime Minister at the Council meeting. This would mean that the new authorities take social partners seriously – summarizes Piotr Ostrowski.
2023-12-03 13:12:35
#Tusk #villain #wars #trade #unionists #return
