publication
2026-02-13 11:30
update
2026-02-13 11:48
The main shareholder of Bumech, Marcin Sutkowski, warns that the Solidarity trade union has established a competitive company whose aim was to take over the operations of the Silesia mine. In an open letter to the Chairman of NSZZ Solidarność, Piotr Duda, the shareholder accuses the trade unionists of acts of unfair competition and violation of employee duties, and also announces legal steps to protect the interests of the mine.
Solidarność in Silesia creates a competitive company
As we read in the open letter, On January 29, 2026, the company Przedsiębiorstwo Górniczo-Usługowe Silesia-Bis sp. z o. o. was registered, 100% of the shares of which are owned by the Międzyplant Trade Union Organization NSZZ Solidarność at PG Silesia. The core business of the new company is to be hard coal mining, which is the same activity as that conducted by PG Silesia, and additionally, the entity was registered at the address where NSZZ “Solidarność” previously had its office at PG “Silesia”.
According to the information received by Bankier.pl, On February 13, 2026, Marcin Sutkowski, the main shareholder of Bumech, the owner of Silesia, sent an open letter to the Chairman of the National Commission of NSZZ Solidarność, Piotr Duda. In the document, the shareholder notes that we are dealing with a project organized directly within the union's structures, and as evidenced by public statements of trade union activists (Krzysztof Kwaśny and Grzegorz Babija), work on the plan to take over the operation of KWK Silesia by this company was to start in March 2025.
A Bumech shareholder suggests that the series of Italian protests and strikes that have taken place since then could have been an element of disintegration, inciting the staff and paralyzing work, with the aim of creating favorable conditions for the annexation of PG Silesia's operations.
This means that while the protests and brutal criticism against me were ongoing, a business entity was being created, controlled by a trade union, and its aim was to take over the activities of PG Silesia. These actions were initiated much earlier than the formal reason for the current strike arose. This is not a guess, just registration data, public statements and chronology of dates. – says Marcin Sutkowski, the main shareholder of Bumech SA, in an open letter.
Potential violations of law and unfair competition
Sutkowski emphasizes that the trade union has the right to defend the interests of employees, but has no right to use its position and the employer's confidential information to build a competitive venture. Lawyers analyzing the case estimate that this situation may constitute:
- Serious violation of basic employee duties within the meaning of Art. 52 of the Labor Code and acting contrary to the Labor Regulations.
- An act of unfair competition and violation of loyalty to the employer, as well as an attempt to unfavorably dispose of property of great value.
- Working together and in concert to obtain permits and documentation for running a mining plant.
PG Silesia, as announced in the letter, prepares appropriate legal steps to protect the interests of the mine, creditors, contractors and shareholders. The main shareholder of Bumech reminds that in the public debate it is presented as an entity leading Silesia to bankruptcy, meanwhile trade unionists who defend the interests of employees did not disclose the establishment of a competing company.
5 questions to the Chairman of the national Solidarity movement
The main shareholder of Bumech calls on Piotr Duda to publicly comment on the situation and asks whether the national authorities of NSZZ “Solidarność” accept the creation of a company by the union to conduct activities identical to those of the employer. Marcin Sutkowski asks the Chairman of Solidarity a number of questions:
- Did you know about the process of establishing the Silesia-Bis company by the trade union operating in PG “Silesia”? Do you confirm the information that the activists have made any arrangements with the investor?
- Do the national authorities of NSZZ “Solidarność” accept a situation in which a trade union establishes a company to conduct activities identical to those of the employer?
- Do you allow trade union activists, while remaining in an employment relationship, to organize an entity directly competitive with the employer, taking advantage of their negotiating position and access to confidential information?
- In your opinion, do such activities fit into the ethos and mission of NSZZ “Solidarność”, which the Union uses in the public debate?
- Don't you think that such actions lead to the depreciation and destruction of the legend of “Solidarity”, built by generations of working people?
The letter called on Piotr Duda to engage in mediation with the participation of the union's national authorities in order to sort out the situation and restore transparent rules of dialogue. Bumech declares that jobs will be maintained and the mine will continue to operate.
Bad situation in the Silesia mine
Since the beginning of 2026, the situation around the SIlesia mine remains tense. Despite the agreement signed in December, there were layoffs at the plant, as reported by trade unions. The miners failed to reach an agreement with the mine manager, so a strike was announced and a picket was organized in front of the plant. Trade unionists from Solidarity accuse the owner of PG Silesia of breaking the agreement, Bumech, in turn, denies the accusations and talks about the lack of cooperation on the part of the unions.
