The unionists believe that the incentive bonuses ought to apply to all employees of the Company’s organisational units and that the bonuses should enter into effect along with the new Corporate Collective Bargaining Agreement. “We are at a loss trying to understand this argument, since, from the start of the process, we have been informing the crew that the incentive bonuses will initially apply to employees working in the panels, mine faces, and conducting reinforcement and liquidation works, and subsequently to all other JSW employees. We believe that every person employed by our Company contributes to its results,” said Jarosław Zagórowski, the President of the Management Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa. “On the other hand, we would like to offer the possibility of additional compensation right now, rather than only after the collective bargaining agreement has been adopted. I would only like to remind everyone that work on this agreement has been ongoing for over two years now, with no end in sight,” added the President.

It should be reiterated that the Management Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa intends to first introduce an incentive bonus system for those employees of the Company who perform tasks in mine panels and faces and conduct reinforcement and liquidation work. No one stands to lose on the Board’s proposal, there can only be gains – in the form of additional earnings. Employees affected by the new bonuses have no reason to fear a lower payout in the event they fail to fulfil the plan. The incentive bonus will cause no decrease for any elements of the usual salary. “If someone fails to complete a task, they will earn just as much as before. The bonuses are extra money for extra work,” said Roman Getler, the Director of the Office of Employment, Wages, and Social Policy of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa. The rules for assigning bonuses are simple and universally comprehensive. Employees will receive bonuses for more than 100% of work done. Naturally, the more they exceed the plan, the higher the bonus. There will be a limit, though. “The system awards bonuses for the performance of a maximum of 120% of the plan. We cannot condone increased excavation at the expense of safety,” explained Director Getler.

Work is currently underway on extending the bonus system to every group of employees in JSW. The Management Board is determined to have the bonus system in place for the entire crew by the end of March. Representatives of the trade unions have been invited to participate in the work.