The head of “Solidarity” warns Tusk's government: If you don't want dialogue, we will force it

If the government does not want dialogue, it will have to be forced; dialogue or the street – emphasized the chairman of NSZZ “Solidarność”, Piotr Duda, in an interview with PAP. He was skeptical about the upcoming free Christmas Eve and the planned reform of the National Labor Inspectorate.

PAP: In less than a month, Christmas Eve will be a day off from work for the first time. Are you happy?

Piotr Duda: Enjoying is an understatement. We will only be happy when we see that the act prepared by Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk actually works, and the third shopping Sunday – added in exchange for a free Christmas Eve – will really be free for employees. We are receiving signals that stores will try to circumvent this by employing employees in other configurations or through other entities. We will see in December who will actually be in charge then, but I believe that the solution introduced is simply inelegant.

We opted to leave this issue in the configuration that was: sales employees worked on Christmas Eve until 2 p.m., and most employees had that day off from work anyway. In companies with trade unions, such issues can be regulated under collective agreements.

Now it turns out that instead of working on Christmas Eve until 2 p.m., trade employees will be given another working Sunday, during which they will work until 10 p.m. or longer, even though, according to the law, they should have it off.

PAP: I understand that labor law provisions include provisions guaranteeing employees working on Sundays the right to a Sunday off from work at least once every 4 weeks. How can employers circumvent the ban on working on this third Sunday?

PD: They have heads full of ideas. We went through this with the Sunday Trade Restriction Act: shops were turned into reading rooms, medical points and the like. I have no doubt that they will try their best this time too. The question is: who will work in a large supermarket if employees should have time off? People from outside, without training? Or maybe employers will tighten the screws with graphics?

That's why I think that this “free Christmas Eve” is more of a political move than real help. Another hoax – just like the 7-hour workday or 4-day workweek, which appeared only for the purposes of the presidential campaign.

PAP: Maybe there is something you are happy about – e.g. an increase in the minimum wage?

PD: Unfortunately no. The increase is symbolic, just like the increase in the hourly rate – by only 90 cents. From PLN 30.50 this year to PLN 31.40 gross next year. This isn't an increase above inflation – it's just a lame attempt to cover some of its costs.

Worse still, the government did not enter into any negotiations on this matter. He made a proposal and stuck to it until the end. There was no dialogue. And we're talking about two, maybe three million minimum wage workers.

PAP: Can greater powers of the National Labor Inspectorate help maintain order on the labor market?

PD: It's difficult to assess because the draft amendment changes from week to week. For years, “Solidarity” has been demanding that labor inspectors be able to administratively transform civil law contracts into employment contracts when the nature of the work requires it. Meanwhile, in government projects, sometimes it is decided by a rank-and-file labor inspector, sometimes by a district labor inspector, and sometimes there are additional restrictions.

If a rank-and-file labor inspector is to be responsible for the consequences of possible lost trials, no one will sign such decisions. This is a paper solution, created mainly to show Brussels that we are “doing something”. Meanwhile, the real solution, which the government withdrew from, was to cover all civil law contracts with contributions – as it was originally written in the KPO, in the so-called milestones. Such changes were to come into force from 2026, which was guaranteed by the government of Prime Minister Morawiecki. Prime Minister Tusk's government has a different opinion on this matter.

PAP: So what do you think changes regarding PIP should look like?

PD: The labor inspector at the inspection site should have real tools. If he sees that a civil law contract has the characteristics of an employment contract, he should be able to transform it. You cannot transfer all responsibility to labor inspectors or block their decisions with additional levels.

Today, everyone is pulling in their own direction: employers are protesting against inspections, ministries are introducing further changes, and employees often do not want to sign an employment contract themselves – because they are afraid of higher costs. And then retirement comes and a problem arises: too low capital, starvation benefits and demands that other taxpayers contribute to their higher pension. We have a funded pension system: the amount you accumulate, the pension you will have, so it should be even more tight.

PAP: Is there a lack of social dialogue today?

PD: 100 percent. An example is this supposedly free Christmas Eve. Minister Dziemianowicz-Bąk did not consult the act at all with the social side, even though she was the chairwoman of the Social Dialogue Council. The consultations took place only with the president – on the initiative of the palace, not the ministry. The same was the case with the draft law on reducing health insurance premiums for entrepreneurs, which we also consulted as a social party in the presidential palace.

The same applies to the amendment to the PIP Act. Therefore, I asked Minister Maciej Berek, who is supposedly responsible for supervising the implementation of government policy, to refer the project back to RDS. Because social dialogue should be conducted there – with the participation of the government, trade unions and employers.

PAP: We live in dangerous times. Should compulsory military conscription return?

PD: I was in conscript military service, my son was in conscript military service. Politicians are surprised that it is currently suspended just to appeal to the younger electorate. I believe that compulsory military service should still apply. However, I am not talking about two years, but about 6-8 months – this is a reasonable period.

Military service gives a young person important skills – such as using weapons or providing medical assistance. Military service improves qualifications – many men obtained their driving licenses in the army. It also gives you time to find your place in the labor market. Only advantages.

However, this is my opinion as a citizen of Piotr Duda, not as the chairman of “Solidarity”. Trade unions will express their views if the government officially asks them to do so.

PAP: “Solidarity” won the lawsuit over property rights to the union's logo. Why is it so important?

PD: Because years later, the court clearly confirmed that the copyright to the “Solidarity” graphic sign belongs to the union – and not to Mr. Jerzy Janiszewski (author of the sign – PAP).

The judgment is final, which puts a lot of things in order. Now we will check institutions, companies, gadget manufacturers, film makers – everyone who uses the logo without the owner's consent. If someone uses the mark illegally, we will take the case to court. We want the “Solidarity” logo to be used in a manner consistent with the values ​​of our union.

PAP: The new year is approaching. What demands will NSZZ “Solidarność” bring into 2026?

PD: The most important thing is to eliminate the deficit of social dialogue – it simply does not exist at the moment. We are substantively prepared for talks, even difficult conversations, we are prepared even for a difficult compromise, but we must have a negotiating partner on the other side. Therefore, at the meeting of the National Commission, which will be held on December 9, we will probably establish a National Protest Committee and present a list of demands. We are prepared for difficult conversations and compromises, but we need a partner on the government's side.

PAP: And this protest against what?

PD: There are problems in many industries: health care, Poczta Polska, PKP Cargo, Green Deal issues, ETS2 – the list is long. If the government does not want dialogue, it will have to be forced. Generally speaking: dialogue or street.

PAP: What about JSW?

PD: Trade unions at Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa are preparing for further actions after the November protest. But above all, they want to talk. JSW is a company of great merit and strategic importance for Polish energy security and cannot be left alone. Solidarity will not allow this to happen.

PAP: What kind of year 2026 do you wish for?

PD: So that we can live normally: work with dignity, earn honestly, live safely. And at the same time, we must prepare for the worst – because if someone wants peace, he or she must prepare for war. Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Interview by: Mira Suchodolska (PAP)

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