The head of Solidarity, Piotr Duda, spoke on RMF FM about what the next president should stand for. He emphasized that the incoming administration should defend pro-social measures associated with President Andrzej Duda and keep social dialogue alive. He also weighed in on PKP Cargo’s layoffs, the idea of Sunday trading making a comeback, and a possible move toward a four-day work week.
These are bad days, weeks and months.
According to Duda, PKP Cargo’s leadership is dismissing workers who are pregnant or nearing retirement, a claim he described as unacceptable and harmful to workers and their families. He argued that Polish employees are enduring difficult times, with mass layoffs affecting state entities like PKP Cargo and Poczta Polska. He criticized the government for pressing ahead with layoffs without meaningful consultation, suggesting that some corporate moves amount to a political struggle against Solidarity. He warned that the country is facing troubling signs of weakened worker protections and minimized dialogue, and that the unions must stand firm in defense of workers’ rights.
He asserted that the situation represents a direct challenge to Solidarity itself and called for a renewed respect for labor organizations. He pointed out gaps in traditional consultation processes and urged a return to serious, substantive dialogue as a prerequisite for fair, transparent decisions affecting thousands of families. This analysis underscored a broader concern about how public enterprises handle workforce changes and how dialogue is treated in the shaping of labor policy.
– he noted.
The discussion around PKP Cargo has become a focal point for broader concerns about labor relations in the country. The move toward harsher staffing decisions has drawn questions about the role of unions in safeguarding workers’ rights and the mechanisms available to ensure consultation and protection under the law.
On October 23, Solidarity will assume the chairmanship of the Council for Social Dialogue. Duda announced that if talks with the government under the framework of the Council do not deliver results, union members may take to the streets to protest. He stressed the importance of using all tools within the social dialogue framework and warned that failure to secure meaningful outcomes could push workers toward street mobilization. He spoke firmly about maintaining pressure while pursuing peaceful, constructive engagement with authorities.
We want to utilize all possibilities within the social dialogue. From October 23, Solidarity will take over the chairmanship of the Council for Social Dialogue. As chairman, I will strive to restore the normal functioning of the Council for Social Dialogue, which means engaging in social dialogue on very difficult issues. Solidarity will fight for every worker. It will not give up. We want to use all opportunities for social dialogue. If it doesn’t work, we’ll take to the streets
– he added.
Presidential elections
The head of Solidarity outlined the expectations for the next president.
The union leader indicated that the forthcoming president should uphold the pro-social solutions associated with President Andrzej Duda and maintain a strong commitment to social dialogue. He stressed that safeguarding workers’ interests requires a steady, open line of communication with labor organizations and a willingness to address tough topics in good faith.
According to the Solidarity leader, the United Right should consult Solidarity when selecting the candidate for next year’s presidential elections. He voiced surprise that the bloc has not yet approached the union to gauge its stance, warning that any plan to win the election without Solidarity’s input would be a miscalculation.
– he said.
The discussion around the presidential race reflected ongoing tensions between political groups and labor organizations, with Solidarity warning that its backing can influence outcomes in a polarized political landscape. The dialogue about candidate selection highlighted the union’s desire to be treated as a serious partner in shaping the country’s leadership and its approach to labor policy.
– he added.
Trade on Sundays and a four-day work week
Duda addressed the left’s proposals to liberalize Sunday trading and move toward a four-day working week. He questioned whether Polish shoppers genuinely want stores open on Sundays and who would bear the costs of a shorter work schedule. He emphasized the need to consider how family life and childcare are balanced with economic needs, noting that a four-day week should come with fair compensation and predictable scheduling.
The union leader suggested that any shift in the working week must be accompanied by safeguards for workers, particularly women who may be affected by Sunday shifts. He cautioned that policies should not force families into difficult arrangements or undermine the ability to plan child care and daily routines. He argued for careful consideration of the financial implications and the overall well-being of workers across sectors.
The discussion around Sunday trading and a four-day week underscored a broader public policy debate about balancing consumer access with family life and fair pay in a modern economy.
40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr. Popieluszko
The Solidarity leader recalled that 2024 marks the year of Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, the priest who serves as a patron of the union. He highlighted the significance of October 19 as a day of remembrance and praised the role of the priest in shaping the movement’s values and mission. Members across the country would gather at the gravesite and in communities nationwide to reflect on Popiełuszko’s legacy and his influence on Solidarity’s daily work. He noted that last year the union announced 2024 would be dedicated to commemorating the 40th anniversary of the priest’s martyrdom, emphasizing Popiełuszko’s spiritual leadership beside John Paul II and his enduring example for Polish workers.
– he concluded.
The remarks closed with a renewed commitment to honoring the priest’s memory and continuing Solidarity’s tradition of advocating for dignity and fair treatment for workers across Poland.