2025-12-03 18:35
publication
2025-12-03 18:35
Trade unions operating in the Stokrotka chain of stores are conducting a strike referendum. They demand more staff in stores and a PLN 800 pay raise. The company comments that it implements increases every year “based on current market conditions and the economic situation.”
– 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, no proposal was made by the employer, Alicja Symbor, president of NSZZ “Solidarność” in Stokrotka, told PAP on Wednesday.
The Chairwoman announced 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 such a number of full-time employees, it is impossible to keep the schedule tight, and yet managers are required to keep the store running – she noted.
Trade unionists they also demand a raise of PLN 800 gross for each employee and an increase in the monthly absentee 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, many people get sick, Symbor said.
Daria Raganowicz, responsible for media relations at Stokrotka, told PAP 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 carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and ended with the signing of a discrepancy report, she said.
She announced that the company's internal data confirm employment stability: the average length of service in stores exceeds 5 years, and approximately 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 financial report shows that in 2023-2024, employment in the company decreased from almost 12.6 thousand. up to 12.4 thousand people.
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 it recorded a loss of PLN 136.6 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. (PAP)
pin/malk/
