LOT pilots, cabin crew on strike
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
18.10.2018 12:10
Dozens of LOT Polish Airlines staff picketed outside the national carrier’s Warsaw head office on Thursday in a protest against the sacking of the head of a cabin crew trade union.
Monika Żelazik, the sacked LOT trade unionist, stands in front of protesters. Pickets read: "Strike" and "Give us Monika back". Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
But the strike has not seen any flights cancelled, the airline’s spokesman, Adrian Kubicki, said.
Members of cabin crew and pilots started their protest in the early hours of Thursday morning, demanding the reinstatement of their coworker and better working conditions.
"We do not agree to workers being... bullied, interrogated, overwhelmed with unlawful procedures," said striking trade unionist Agnieszka Szelągowska.
Kubicki said that the strike was illegal and protesters could face consequences such as docked pay and disciplinary dismissal.
Tensions between LOT management and staff date back to a 2013 pay decision made by the airline as it stood on the brink of bankruptcy.
Since 2013, new workers have not been given permanent contracts, which means they do not receive paid sick or holiday leave. (vb/pk)
Source: IAR