Protests continue at closed Ozarów cable plant

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In November 2002, a workers' blockade of a shut down cable manufacturing plant in Ozarów, Poland, was broken after more than six months by the factory's owner, Tele-Fonika. The company used a private security agency to clear access to the factory and allow machinery to be removed, and the police intervened when violence flared. However, it seems that the redundant workers' protests are continuing.

In March 2002, Tele-Fonika– the largest manufacturer of cables in Poland – announced the liquidation of the Fabryka Kabli cable production facility in Ożarów, near Warsaw, which it had recently acquired (PL0208104N). This decision was announced despite previous statements by Tele-Fonika’s management to the effect that the Ożarów plant would be revamped into one of the largest operations of its sort in Poland. The decision to close the plant was explained in terms of unfavourable market conditions and high production expenses.

According to estimates, the closure was to mean the loss of 900 jobs. The employees slated for redundancy were offered substantial severance packages and 220 new jobs in an assortment of operations owned by Tele-Fonika in several locations across Poland. The trade unions declined to accept the offer formulated by Tele-Fonika management.

One month later, Tele-Fonika decided to make all the employees at Ożarów plant redundant. On the day following this announcement, some of the employees concerned embarked on a blockade of the access road leading up to the factory gates, thus preventing the dismantling and removal of machinery. They took the position that the factory was a modern, profitable operation which was well poised to cope with any competition in the market.

During the ensuing months, a stalemate persisted at the factory. Another showdown took place in September 2002, when Tele-Fonika sought bids for the closed facility and its buildings. The employees and the trade unions responded by staging a protest at the offices of the company.

In November 2002, a decision was reached by Tele-Fonika management to terminate the blockade of the factory premises and to remove the remaining machines; according to the company’s representatives, the blockade has caused it losses to the tune of EUR 800,000. In the early hours of 26 November, 200 days into the blockade, private security personnel hired by Tele-Fonika attempted to disperse 200 demonstrators assembled around the factory and blocking access to it. The local fire brigade took the side of the employees. At this point, the police became involved, breaking up scuffles and clearing the access road for the lorries sent in by Tele-Fonika.

The protesters were the main losers following these dramatic events, drawing criticism from the unions, the local authorities and from public opinion at large – especially as regards the violent methods adopted to express their discontent. Nevertheless, the protesters are persevering in their efforts to impede access to the factory grounds; the liquidation of the factory, however, is running its course.

Many observers have expressed the opinion that the protests were doomed to failure. The Ożarów plant employed a mere 900 people, so the conflict posed no threat of escalation into labour unrest on a regional scale. Also, Ożarów is situated on the outskirts of Warsaw and its vast labour market, and the prevailing sentiment is that the big city can comfortably absorb the employees made redundant by Tele-Fonika.