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On April 30th, 2009, Sadi FIAT Group management at Bielsko Biala, Poland, formally dismissed Mr. Rajmund Pollak, former union activist since the founding of Solidarnósc in 1980, on the pretext that his “position is discontinued”

The Polish FIAT plant, however, is at the moment working at full capacity due to high demand for the FIAT 500 and Panda and the Ford Ka models it produces.

Preceding his dismissal, on April 24th Mr. Pollak sent an open letter to FIAT worldwide management in Torino, criticising their decision to extend the regular working week to the Sunday night, while at the same time, FIAT has refused to increase the wages of the Polish workers. FIAT workers believe that the FIAT management did not appreciate Mr. Pollak’s criticism and that the argument of “discontinuation of his position” is only a pretext.

In a letter from Torino on April 17th to the trade unions and management at FIAT Poland, FIAT group Senior Vice President of Industrial Relations Mr. Paolo Rebaudengo explained that due to the economic crisis, wages of Polish workers would be frozen. At the same time however, the asked understanding for the fact that Polish FIAT workers would need to work 7 days per week in the nightshift. In his letter, Mr. Rebaudengo threatens to change FIAT’s investments policies for Poland if his orders are not being duly implemented.

FIAT Poland is one of the most profitable FIAT operation in the world. Productivity and quality at the production plant in Tychy are among the highest worldwide, while at the same time, wage levels are between 50-25% of those in Italy.

In his open letter of April 24th to Mr. Rebaudengo, Mr. Pollak demands equal treatment of FIAT workers in Poland and Italy. According to Mr.Pollak, right now Polish workers receive only half as much for a 7 days working week as their Italian colleagues receive for being laid off from work. As a first step, he proposes a minimal wage rise of 15-20% for Polish workers, to enable them to share modestly in the enormous profits they produce for FIAT and to decrease the huge wage difference towards their Italian colleagues.

Mr. Pollak also reminds FIAT management that already in the Middle Ages, Polish peasants possessed the right to a day off on Sunday. In fact, the Polish labour code stipulates a 40 hour week and even the Saturday is not considered to be a regular working day. This is one of the principal achievements of the struggle of Solidarnósc back in 1980-1981. The 3-shift system at FIAT Poland already includes the Saturday as a working day however, and now FIAT is forcing its Polish workers to work 7 nights at a row including the Sunday.

In Mr.Pollak’s view, he only exerted his right of free speech in criticising FIAT management, and now he is being victimised for defending the rights of his fellow workers. His dismissal stands alone, as in his office no other workers are being laid off for reorganisation or other economic causes. Mr.Pollak is a specialised automotive engineer and foreign commercial relations economic specialist who this summer would complete 30 years of service with the company, and there are plenty of other jobs he could perform inside the enterprise. However, no such jobs were offered to him.

It looks as if FIAT is using the pretext of the economic crisis to deteriorate the labour conditions and rights of its workers and to fire anyone who stands up against this and who defends the rights of his fellow workers. Mr.Pollak has been actively involved in the international union movement for the past 20 years.

Enclosed we send a draft protest letter to Mr. Rebaudengo. Please send a copy of your message by fax to the below address of the local press agency in the Krakov Region and to the press agencies in your country, as well as to Mr.Pollak.

Protest Letter

Mr. Paolo Rebaudengo
Senior Vice President Industrial Relations FIAT S.p.a
Head office: Via Nizza 250, 10126 Torino, Italy
Fax: +39-011-0063771
E-mail: paolo.rebaudengo@fiatgroup.com

Dear Sir,

We have been informed of the decision of the Sadi FIAT Group to fire long-time union activist at FIAT Poland, Mr. Rajmund Pollak, on the pretext that his “position is discontinued”. Mr.Pollak is a specialised automotive engineer and foreign commercial relations economic specialist, so there are many jobs he could perform inside your enterprise. It is unbelievable that no such jobs were offered to him. Mr.Pollak will shortly complete 30 years of service with your company.

On April 24th, 2009, Mr.Pollak has written to you about his objections to your order to freeze the wages of Polish workers while at the same time extending the working week at the Tychy production plant to the Sunday night. Mr. Pollak has reminded you of the huge wage difference between the FIAT workers in Poland and Italy, while at the same time FIAT Poland is contributing substantially to FIAT overall results. He proposed to reduce these wage differences.

We believe Mr.Pollak has only exercised his constitutional right of free speech and has in no way damaged company interests. His arguments appear valid and should be discussed in a proper way instead of him being sacked for defending the rights of his colleagues.

We urge you therefore to reconsider the dismissal of Mr. Pollak and to find another job for him that fits his workplace qualifications. We also urge you to take the necessary steps in order to secure proper negotiations in good faith with the Polish unions on their wages and working times.

We would appreciate to be informed about further steps from your side.

Yours sincerely,

Signed:

CC:
News Agency of Krakov Region
Fax no: +(00)-48-124224945
Att: Mr. Marcim Austyn
Krakov region, Poland

Rajmind Pollak e-mail:
rajmund.pollak@O2.pl