Shipyard workers protest in Brussels against the threatening closure of Gdansk shipyard
One hundred of Solidarność trade unionists from Gdansk shipyard set off on the long road from Gdansk to Brussels to protest against the threatening job cuts they face. A delegation of Polish trade unionists will handover a petition later this morning to representatives of the European Commission. They demand the withdrawal of the EU’s decision to close two of the three slipways. More than 1000 workers would be affected by this closure forcing them into unemployment.
The European Commission demands the Polish government either closes two of the three slipways or repays 51 million euros of public aid, which was to be used for restructuring plans. Both the closure of the two slipways and the repayment of millions of euros of public aid would at this point lead to the Gdansk shipyard going bankrupt. Blatant gross mistakes made by management but also the passiveness of national and European politicians has led to workers once again paying the price.
“The European Metalworkers’ Federation will not accept that the workers of the historically important Gdansk shipyard will be the victims of evident mistakes made by management and of the fact no solutions are offered at national and European level”, said EMF General Secretary Peter Scherrer.
“The demand of Solidarność trade unionists to withdraw the decision to close part of the shipyard or to repay the public aid is more than understandable given both the national and also European political decision makers offer only unemployment as an alternative to the shipyard workers which is fully unacceptable. The European metalworkers’ trade unions stand in solidarity with their colleagues at Solidarność“, stated Peter Scherrer.
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Press 42/2007
The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.
For further information please contact:
Editor,
Peter Scherrer
, EMF General Secretary
