Next protest of Ożarów workers!
- Dział: English news
In Novemebr 2002 there were dramatical events in Ożarów's Factory of Cables. First, against the law, security guards hired by the owner removed violently workers blocking gate of factory. Then by five days workers and trade unionist supporting them fought with police protecting convoys removing equipment from factory. Eventually there was an agreement signed, stating that on area of Cable Factory there was supposed to be Special Economic Zone created, new industries and new places of work. Promises, signed from one side by TeleFonika and government, from other side by Protest Committee, were never kept.
Minister of Economy and Work Jerzy Hausner said on 24th Septemebr 2002 after one of talks about future of Special Economic Zone in Ożarów, stopped by guests from Kraków, that "Telefonika is unhonest and not reliable company". " Though many months of negotiations we believed that both sides wanted agreement. Now we can see that this was only cover-up of TeleFonika- Minister stated. Sacked workers of factory knew from the very beginning of protest, when B.Cupiał (president of TeleFonika and football club Wisła) handed them papers firing them from work on 23rd of May. During this time all equipment of the factory was supposed to be removed. Workers blocked gate of their company and stopped this maneuvre.
B.Cupiał reached his goal on 26th of Novemebr 2002, when security guards from Impel company protected by police attakced workers. Press revealed that "Bogdan K., Andrzej S., Wacław O., Janusz G., Bogusław K. and Wojciech S. Being high ranking police officers in Małopolska region went on invitation of their friend, businessman Boguslaw C. With airplane chartered by him to football match in Italy".
"Short time later police with surprising determination together with hired security guards defends property of same businessman against workers, who had serious pretensions again him". Protest was legal, and people in fron of gate, not knowing about contacts between police and B. Cupiał asked cops for help. Police of helped security guards. Question is if B.Cupiał will reach for same methods this time? Workers of Ożarów Cable's Factory appeal to everyone for help. Both material and physical help is needed. Fights with police and security can start any time.