The firm employing the stewards, Stallion Security, told AFP news agency that
the workers had been "misled" by jealous commercial rivals who failed to get the
World Cup tender.
This article highlights how employee action can cause potentially damaging consequences for businesses. The stewards walked out after they had been paid less than they were 'promised' - it emphasises the impact of poor employer-employee relations on business functioning.
"Even Apple now has a razor blade business model," argues King. "You
buy an iphone or iPod and that's your handle which you populate with music
and books and apps. The profitability of the blades powers the beast."
A dispute has arisen within PZ Cussons Polska S.A. between the largest representative trade union, NSZZ Solidarnosc, and the
company’s chief executive officer (CEO)
50% of the workers are trade union members
five trade union organisations
membership is widely dispersed
Independent Trade Union of Chemical Workers
representing 15 workers
smallest union
largest union
Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union
Solidarity
over 80 workers
controversy has a
long history
2002 when a dispute arose over certain irregularities concerning the allocation of the employee benefits fund
trade unions only took collective action in relation to the dispute in 2003 when the premises was flagged;
ade union flag
management removed the
t
trade unions appealed to the court
company’s management of obstructing trade union activity.
conflict escalated
company’s management decided to move the headquarters of the trade unions to space outside the premises
The unions
once again appealed to the court to reverse this decision, but the court again dismissed the appeal
staged a protest
culminating point in the conflict occurred in June 2006
according to the unions
at CZ Cussons once again disregarded the
preliminary social fund expenditures schedule.
remove the
flags and transport them outside the company’s premises
A scuffle between the union activist and the security staff ensued, resulting
in minor injuries to the former, according to trade union sources.
NSZZ Solidarnosc shop steward was dismissed from the company on disciplinary grounds.
not able to appeal against the decision within a statutory time frame.
management also tried to prevent
the next union meeting from taking place and attempted to keep the dismissed union member off the premises
The trade unions claimed that PZ Cussons had clearly ignored Polish union law
The unions warn that they will fight the case until the company’s management reinstates the dismissed trade union
member.
caused a dangerous situation and broke work regulations in his
protest against the removal of the trade union flags from the premises.
car without permission
As this represented a gross abuse of
an employee’s duties, the management agreed to the shop steward’s disciplinary dismissal. The case has since been sent to the labour court.
An example of a trade union dispute in a household cleaning and detergent manufacturer. Explains how the dispute came about as well as how it was resolved.