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Uni Commerce initiative brings results:
Solidarnosc and Tesco to seek social partnership

British multinational retailer Tesco and Poland's trade union movement Solidarnosc are seeking to establish a social partnership. In discussions in Krakow last week, the management of Tesco Polska agreed with Solidarnosc that the principles for social dialogue will be established as soon as possible.

An important part of the agreement reached last Thursday was that Tesco Polska recognises the right of its workers to join their trade union. Solidarnosc on its part declared that it will establish its trade union structures in Tesco in accordance with Polish legislation. Both partners agreed that the objective of their social dialogue will be to work for the benefit of both the company and its workers.

Further meetings were agreed for the near future, to set up the modalities for organising and trade union representation. Solidarnosc and Uni Commerce informed the Tesco Polska management about their intention to launch a joint organising campaign. This campaign is actively supported by the British commerce trade union USDAW.

The trade union delegation to the meeting with Tesco was lead by Jozsef Nemeth, vice president of the National Commission of NSZZ Solidarnosc, and Krzysztof Zgoda, member of the National Commission and director of organising. Jan Furstenborg, head of department for Uni Commerce was also present.

The Krakow meeting had been initiated by Uni Commerce and USDAW. In November last year, USDAW general secretary Bill Connor held talks with Solidarnosc in Warsaw about an organising project, together with Jan Furstenborg.