Trade Unionists from OPZZ march in Warsaw – the key demands of … – ObserwatorPolityczny.pl

On Saturday, April 18 this year., we march in Warsaw starry OPZZ (Poland Alliance of Trade Unions). Most of the media posted relations with the march, focusing mainly on the technical side, especially on nuisance for residents, traffic obstructions, etc., Zohydzenia trials demonstrating the very idea of ​​society in general, and have left-wing OPZZ in particular.

In fact, we should be glad that show anything at all, they can go for speed and it’s still an approximation to the union holding the flag in his left hand and the right beer. It would be typical for a certain part of the mainstream media present in Poland, so I really could be worse.

Well, that OPZZ was able to gather a lot of potential people very well that joined the various professional groups, including in particular important for the state professional group of teachers, however, are the manifestation of the two problems. Firstly shame that he could not do a demonstration under the agreement of the three great trade unions. Second – due to the current election and the upcoming parliamentary such a project should have a political setting. There is a lack of support from the candidate in the presidential election, and the support of at least one of the political parties. It is known that the unions should be as far as possible – independent, but it is not new union that fights for authenticity. This is a serious social organization with a long tradition, should be able to conduct traditional political game. How can you, as so serious manifestations of waste in the context of these two choices?

Of course, it is easy to accuse OPZZ, but the reality is they are. What matters is also the other side, and this is traditionally associated with the OPZZ, which left at this time experiencing a crisis, not only values, but most of all identity, both in terms of the party as well as her or not its candidate in the presidential election. This example shows how to split the Left lost that years ago were treated to the beginning of the famous recorder in the office of a person who is widely regarded as the father of all evil, which in this country happened after 1989. It is a pity, pity, all this loose, and the most Polish, because it is devoid of genuine political representation in socially important part of the spectrum.

It is important, however, to draw attention to the substantive message Trade Unionists, which was generally expressed in open letter of Mr. Jan Guz – Chairman of the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions of 14 April 2015., which is available as a PDF file [opzz.org.pl here] – note automatically downloads to your computer, but definitely worth reading. Below we quote the key passage:

“ OPZZ fighting for solutions that apply to all Poles, regardless of organizational affiliation and worldview. Projects by relevant laws of our years in arrears in the parliamentary freezer. Demand, among other things:

• increase in the minimum wage to 50% of the monthly average wage and the introduction
• minimum rates hour of work, regardless of the form of employment,
• swap agreements “junk” on the contract of employment,
• increase in salaries for public sector employees budget,
• cut taxes for low-paid,
• right to retirement, depending on seniority,
• the introduction of industry collective bargaining agreements.

Social dialogue was a sham, and therefore almost two years ago suspended participation in the committee trilateral. Only now the government decided to talk about a new form of dialogue, prepared by the social side, but still ignores the demands of employees . “[The source opzz.org.pl as above].

In fact, with all the demands, can no closer discuss the last two can be automatically accepted. At the same time it is obvious that an increase in the minimum wage can not be a one-off, it would not stand our economy. What is needed is a realistic plan while reaching the planned level. So much can be done, but this is unfortunately not the case, and it would be very important touchstone of quality of social policy of any government. The postulate of the minimum hourly rate is so obvious that it is an absolute disgrace that has not yet been introduced. Unfortunately, the ruling establishment is a country on the sick ideological positions, still cultivating neoliberal lies and fraud. Similarly, the problem of junk contracts, this is a clear example of the weakness of the state and its deception. The free market can not, in fact rely on unilateral exploitation of the weak. Time to compete with cheap labor costs coming to an end. If somebody did not like Poland, the level of security and the market, which has, does not need to invest here, but if you invest MUST obey the law. Salaries budżetówki is about the river, are definitely the officials and public employees who earn so little that there is no need to even comment on it. However, no one can agree on is that some further continued their sweet privileges at the expense of an earlier era of the whole of society, without giving anything in return. Yes, this is a hint in the direction of teachers, the profession today is completely different in private schools and some abstract fossil in public. You need to develop a paradigm that profession again, particularly with regard to the issue of paying for performance. Times change, the reality is new. Of education and education depends on the country’s future, the current state is highly unsatisfactory. Tax cuts for low income earners is a social necessity, because the impoverishment of a large part of society is dangerous for the whole system. Of course, tax cuts may be made by increasing the tax-free amount, if by that you will need to carry out a tax increase for the richer part of the population, there is no other alternative – the budget can not be lossy. Retirement depending on the length of service, is a matter of permissible but requires strong changes in the pension system. There are no obstacles to calculate retirement for everyone, in such a way as to favor the longest working life, and at the same time respect the will of the people, if anyone would like to retire early – should have every right to do. That’s the beauty rule in the rule of freedom. Sectoral collective agreements is an important issue that can adjust the number of workers’ rights, eg. Where today immediately releases for union membership.

It’s a shame that some of the mainstream media so artificially presented the initiative Trade Unionists. Their sacrifice will not go in vain, however, even if they were unable for any reason to benefit from an organized political demonstrations, this is an important signal got to the public. Labor union is never enough! The unions are now at the forefront of a collision with a dark siepaczami society neoliberal system!