Sofia November 2011

1. Organising workers and SocialDialogue in commerce sector in Poland Department of Development Union National Commission of The Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union „Solidarność” Sofia November 2011

2. Union density NSZZ „S” 1991 - 2011

3. Approximate employment in the biggest chain of stores

4. Commerce sector in Poland nowadays Union density apx. 6 %

5. New strategy in Development Department of N.C. since January 2011 - close cooperation DD NC „S” with Regional Boards (34 Regions)and Branch Secretariats/ Branch Sections - regions coordinators (7 persons) from DD NC „S” widely cooperate with regional organising teams (40 regional organizers) - thanks working together over 1 000 new members have joined to „S” in commerce sector (at Carrefour, Auchan, Kaufland, Biedronka, Decathlon, Makro, JYSK) Past and ongoing project funding by EU „Strengthening social dialogue in security sector and hiper- and supermarkets” – realized by Development Department of National Commission NSZZ „Solidarność” - Kaufland (Schwarz Gruppe), Biedronka (Jeronimo Martins Distribution) Solidarność organising strategy

6. Organization in company itdepends on power organization (membership). Strong union (mining, metallurgy) focus on negotiations. Weak organization (commerce, security sector) focus on organizing Regions level Decisions are very diversyfied. Every each of 34 Regions has development coordinator, but some Regions hasn’t union organizers yet (in total 40 orgs.). Sometimes regional organizers organise workers in commerce sector, but very often in other sectors National Commission level National Commission – Executive Board (Presidium) defines union development as priority and set up new strategy of organising. Department of Development Union has opereted since 1998 (staff of 16), but we need to fashion new model and proffesionalization Organising campaigns in commerce sector are conducted and initiated by DD very often Solidarność implementing Resolution 2 Organising in CommercePolitical decision level on organizinig – priority in daily life of trade union Levels on organizinig

7. New organizations – organizing campaigns Establishing contacts with employees (phone numbers, adress, e-mails) 1 on 1 mtgs. & group mtgs. Collecting problems Identyfing laeders Meetings and training leaders Leaders and organizing team organise workers around the problems (sign up union cards) – build-up the union Registration union and negotiations Agreement Promotion union parallel organizing camapign (discount cards „Grosik”) and publicize campaign in media Existing organizations Mostly by the training for leaders (training – how to organize workers) Next leaders recruit new members in company – monitoring actions by Region and N.C. Building new organizations and organizing new members in existing organizations

8. Organizing campaigns in sectors, when mostly young people work (commerce, banks, services) Cooperation „S” and Independent Students Association – work on agreement going on Social campaigns and media – changing image Let’s raise the minimum wage for Poles 350 000 Poles signed the draft Act amending the National MW Large public campaign in combat against so-called „junk contracts of employment” to promote employment for an indefinite period It will be one of the priorities for Solidarność in the coming months Internet portal - „hyper exploitation” a map of exploitation in the stores is being created interactive service: „report a problem, suggest the solution, change the fate of workers” Tools, which are used by young people (internet tv - youtube, facebook, twitter) Demonstration and pickets are colourful and they take on the character of happening. Concerts, less bovvers and fairing tires The result: - increasing public confidence in „Solidarność” - according to the September CBOS research reported confidence in relation to 35 % (July 2010 - 24 %.), especially among young group Specific ways to attract young workers in trade union?

9. Obstacles insufficient awareness of leaders Posibilities budget and staff Antyunion Goverment, Employers and media policy Challenges Actual union actions around the priority - development Concrete budget and personal decisions Professionalization of development actions (analysis, education, organizing, trainings, promotion – everything support by marketing strategy) Major obstacles / challenges to organizing

10. Why Kaufland? Along with 5 other companies it owns majority sharesin marketof commerce sector, because of that it has impact onworkingconditions in the wholebranch Non-union workplace Problems of workers Aim: To makeanagreementconcerningimprovement of workingconditions and possibility for Trade Union to haveeasyaccsess to the workers Success storyWorkers organising campaignin Kaufland PolskaAction time: February 2010 – nowadays

11. 1st Phase: Choosing places for organising action time till 21st February 2010 Kaufland Stores in: in Chorzów (2), Ruda Śląska (1), Wrocław (2) 2nd Phase: Forming large-scale base action time from 22nd February 2010 to 7st May 2010 Conducts one-on-one organizing (collecting phone numbers, e-mails, address) 1 on 1 mtgs Identyfying problems Identyfying leaders Leaders mtgs Signing people up [union cards] - Trade union organisation on enterprise level was registered 3rd Phase: An escalation, social campaign action time 8.V. – 6.VI.2010 A petition concerning workplace issues and the free right to join union is delivered to the management A petition is given by Regional Offices of Solidarność to store directors Handing out leaflets to customers in front of the stores Elements of campaign

12. 4th Phase: Crisis creating action time 7.VI. – 25.VI.2010 Pickets in front of the stores in Wrocław, Ruda Śląska 5th Phase: Reaching the agreement Negotation agreement - meeting protocol July 2010: Kaufland company backed out of part of agreement concerning free union access to employees Creating a new plan concernig Kaufland logistic center in Piotrków Trybunalski as a "place responsive" to workers protests because of chain delivery system Elements of campaign

13. 6th Phase: Forming large-scale base action time 6.IX – 10.X.2010 Conducts one-on-one organizing, Workplace issues, Recruiting leaders, Signing people up [union declaration] 7th Phase: Escalation action time 11.X– 14.XI.2010 A petition concerning workplace issues and the free right to join union is delivered to the management A petition is given by Regional Offices of Solidarność to store directors & logistic centre director Handing out leaflets to customers in front of the stores Elements of campaign

14. 8th Phase crisis creating action time 15.XI – 26.XII.2010 Pickets in front of the logistic centre in Piotrków Trybunalski Pickets in front of the stores in Wrocław (2 stores), Piaseczno, Piła Cash-desks blocked in Ruda Śląska store Preparation for Berlin’s picket in cooperation with Ver.di 9th Phase Reaching the agreement Negotation agreement - meeting protocol Elements of campaign

15. web site: SmilingCashierappeal to customers Web site: hyper exploitation Exploitation map in markets stores We shareinformationaboutworkingcondition on Facebook Like it!

16. Organizing workers – building power Union Ostensible dialogue → constructive conversation with employers Begining colective bargaining in some companies Employment stability (rotation 25-100%) Access to workers agreements Middle-term plan: Project – Biedronka, Carrefour Destination target – sectoral colective agreement (key companies) Challenges

17. Around the world- we allhave the same employers (multicompanies) in ourcountries If we want to win agreements for workers we need to cooperate to buildup the union power contact www.solidarnosc.org.pl kacper_stachowski@solidarnosc.org.pl conclusion