Stokrotka employees are planning a strike and demanding a PLN 800 pay raise. Here's how much they earn
— The referendum is the result of a lack of agreement with the management in the collective dispute procedure. At the stage of negotiations and mediation, the employer did not make any proposals, said Alicja Symbor, chairman of NSZZ “Solidarność” in Stokrotka, on Wednesday.
She informed that the online referendum started on December 1 and will last until May 31, 2026. The most important demand is increasing the number of employees by at least two full-time positions in each store. According to trade unionists, in some supermarkets, seven people, including management staff, are enough to cover two shifts. – With so many jobs It's impossible to keep a tight scheduleand yet managers are required to keep the store functioning, she noted.
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Trade unionists are also demanding a raise of PLN 800 gross for each employee and increasing the monthly absence bonus for all employees by PLN 200 gross. The chairwoman stated that the median salary among store employees slightly exceeds the minimum wage. — It's impossible to work with the staff that is currently available in stores. With such a heavy load, a lot of people get sick, Symbor said.
According to Business Insider's calculations based on Stokrotka's financial report, over 12 thousand The company's employees earned an average of just over PLN 5,000 in 2024. PLN gross. That's about just PLN 700 more than the minimum wagefor a little more than Dino paid (just under PLN 5,000). Stokrotka has almost a thousand stores, which is one third of Dino's and one quarter of Biedronka's.
Mediation did not produce any results
Daria Raganowicz, responsible for media relations at Stokrotka, informed that the referendum is a procedure conducted by trade unions after the mediation process. — The employer does not participate in organizational activities related to it. The mediation stage of the collective dispute was conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and ended with the signing of a discrepancy report, she said.
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She announced that the company's internal data confirms employment stability: average work experience in stores exceeds 5 years, and about 70 percent management positions are filled by people promoted internally. — Employee turnover remains at a level similar to last year, she added.
As it said, the company implements increases every year “based on current market conditions and the economic situation.” — Employees are also supported by a wide system of additional benefits, including occasional allowances and Christmas bonuses, which may constitute a significant supplement to remuneration on an annual basis, she said.
Raganowicz said that Stokrotka is implementing investments that include the modernization of stores, distribution centers and the development of team competences. It also maintains constant dialogue with teams in stores and distribution centers, and all organizational activities are implemented in accordance with regulations. She assured that Stokrotka remains ready to engage in dialogue.
Pursuant to the Act on the resolution of collective disputes, a company strike is announced by a trade union after obtaining the consent of the majority of voting employees, if at least 50% of the employees took part in the vote. employees of the workplace.
Stokrotka's losses
Stokrotka's financial report shows that in 2023-2024 employment in the company decreased from almost 12.6 thousand. up to 12.4 thousand people.
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As reported, in 2023-2024, the company increased sales revenues from nearly PLN 7.9 billion to over PLN 8.1 billion. In 2023, the company ended the year with a net profit of over PLN 15 million, while in 2024 recorded a loss of PLN 136.6 million. The accumulated loss, i.e. from 2024 and previous years, amounted to PLN 152 million, and equity decreased to PLN 80 million.
In the report on activities, the management board argued that the company's results were influenced by, among others, intensification of competition on the market and increase in the relative costs of doing business.
At the same time, the company conducted reviews of individual retail outlets in terms of their profitability. Last year the chain took over or opened 42 retail outlets, closed 26 unprofitable stores and terminated 11 franchise agreements.
At the end of 2024, there were 981 Stokrotka shopping pavilions throughout the country, mainly supermarkets and own markets.
Stokrotka was established in 1994 in Lublin. The owner of the store chain is the Emperia holding, which was purchased in 2018 by the Lithuanian retail group Maxima. Maxima previously operated Aldik and Sano stores. The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection consented to the concentration. In January 2025, Emperia was recapitalized by the Lithuanian owner in the amount of PLN 33.7 million.
