Union representatives at Poland’s Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) in Warsaw are protesting stalled wage negotiations, with some sleeping at the central office.
ZUS Wage Talks and Protest Begin
Wage negotiations between the management of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and trade unions began on Wednesday, with union representatives remaining at the ZUS headquarters in Warsaw. As of Thursday, ZUS reported that the institution’s operations and customer service were proceeding without disruption.
Negotiations Over Pay Increases
The negotiations between ZUS and twelve trade union organizations are based on the provisions of the Collective Labor Agreement for ZUS employees (ZUZP). The subject of the negotiations was the allocation of funds resulting from a 3% increase in the personal wage fund.
Initial Offers and Union Response
During the talks, a financial plan for personal wages for 2025 was presented, along with a preliminary proposal for the allocation of funds for 2026, which the union side contested.
Union Protest and Lack of Agreement
Negotiations with the union side, which decided not to leave the headquarters, did not yield results as of Thursday evening. ZUS’s press office informed PAP after 6 p.m. that talks were ongoing, and the employer presented possibilities for obtaining additional funds for wages from other items in ZUS’s financial plan for 2026.
Customer Service Unaffected
Representatives of the press office assured that customer service in ZUS branches is operating as usual, and the institution’s work is proceeding without disruption.
Wage Increase Proposals
ZUS initially proposed a wage increase of 170 zł per employee, resulting in 241 zł with additional components from the ZUZP (bonus, seniority allowance, award from the Employee Reward Fund, including the 13th salary, jubilee award, and retirement allowance). Following discussions, a subsequent proposal involved a wage increase of 180 zł per employee, totaling 255 zł with ZUZP components.
Formation of Protest Committee
On Wednesday, union representatives decided to establish an inter-union protest and strike committee.
Impact on Customer Service?
The question of whether the ZUS protest will affect customer service remains open.
Further Employer Proposals
In a later stage of negotiations, the employer proposed an increase in basic wages of 200 zł per employee, totaling 284 zł with additional components from the ZUZP. The employer also committed to submitting a request to the relevant ministries for an increase in the personal wage fund for 2026, financed from other items in ZUS’s financial plan.
Union Camp-In and Demand for Ministerial Talks
During a Thursday press conference, Związkowa Alternatywa at ZUS reported that approximately 30 union representatives were remaining at the ZUS Central Office on Szamocka Street in Warsaw due to the lack of agreement. Ilona Garczyńska of the organization’s board stated that they had slept on chairs and were awaiting a meeting with a decision-making representative from the Ministry of Finance.
Union Demands and Financial Disagreement
The union side does not agree with the financial proposals presented by ZUS authorities, demanding an average wage increase of 1200 zł gross per employee. (PAP)
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