JSW announced in a press release that talks regarding “the need to temporarily reduce labor costs” ended without reaching an agreement. The company's management board emphasized its determination to continue the dialogue, hoping to develop solutions that will secure jobs and ensure stable operation of the company. “We appeal to the social side for a responsible approach and readiness to compromise,” it was noted.
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Trade unionists: “There is no consent to reaching into miners' pockets”
However, the trade union side remains adamant. The chairman of Solidarity at JSW, Sławomir Kozłowski, in a recording published on social media accused the management board of having 80% of the burden of saving the company. rest on employees. “This is a project intended to rob JSW employees” – he assessed. Kozłowski also asked about the fate of the financial resources that the company had at the beginning of 2024, including PLN 5.7 billion accumulated in the stabilization fund. “Where and what was this money spent on?” – asked a trade unionist, emphasizing that employees cannot be held responsible for the decisions of the management board and the owner.
An equally firm statement appeared on the profile of Solidarity's Pniówek mine. “There is and will not be consent to reaching into miners' pockets under the pretext of saving the company. — it was written. The organization emphasized that the risk and burden of difficult decisions have been borne by employees for years, and the management's current proposals are “shifting the costs of poor management onto the weakest.”
The management board calls for responsibility
Even before Tuesday's talks, the JSW management board warned that their outcome would be of key importance for the future of the company and thousands of jobs. “You can't continue to operate when your costs exceed your revenues” — indicated in the announcement. The company's management emphasized that optimization of labor costs is a necessary condition for implementing the recovery program. “Without an agreement with the social side, effective restructuring will not be possible,” the management board noted.
JSW's authorities also indicated that the current corrective actions have already been implemented or are at an advanced stage, but the scale of the current challenges is greater than in previous periods of economic downturn. “Each party must take co-responsibility for the future of JSW,” it appealed.
Losses and restructuring plan
In the background of the conflict are the company's dramatic financial results. After three quarters of 2025, JSW recorded a net loss of PLN 2.9 billion with sales revenues of PLN 7 billion. In the third quarter alone, the net loss amounted to PLN 794 million.
The restructuring plan, presented in November by acting president Bogusław Oleksy, assumes, among others, permanent reduction of operating costs, restructuring of the capital group and obtaining financing from international institutions and the Restructuring Fund. Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun announced in December that JSW needs approximately PLN 3 billion to ensure financial liquidity in 2026.
What's next?
The JSW Management Board announces continuation of talks with the social side, but the lack of agreement may delay the implementation of key corrective actions. Meanwhile, trade unions do not intend to budge, demanding explanations and greater responsibility from the management board and the company's owner. The conflict, which is gaining strength, may affect the future of one of the largest employers in the region.
