Andrzej Jeżewski, vice president of ITF and ETF affiliate Cabin Crew Union ZZPP, has been sacked by LOT Polish Airlines during collective bargaining negotiations. This is in breach of Polish law, under which a certain number of trade union board members enjoy particular job security rights and cannot be dismissed without the consent of their board. Jeżewski is in this category but the airline terminated his contract without ZZPP’s consent.
On 4 August, the ITF and ETF civil aviation secretaries jointly wrote to LOT Polish Airlines president Sebastian Mikosz, demanding Jeżewski’s reinstatement. There has so far been no response and airline managers have not taken the ETF’s phone calls.
The ITF and ETF are urging their affiliates to send letters to Mikosz in protest against this anti-union action and clear breach of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on freedom of association and right to organise.
Gabriel Mocho, ITF civil aviation section secretary, said: “By dismissing the vice-president of our affiliate, LOT Polish Airlines’ top management violated the Polish law as well as universal principles and ILO Conventions. Andrzej Jeżewski should be reinstated immediately and a positive social dialogue should start. The ITF and ETF and their member unions will keep on supporting him and his colleagues in the ZZPP.”
François Ballestero, ETF civil aviation section secretary, added that LOT Polish Airlines’ “outrageous” behaviour would undermine confidence in the airline and hinder efforts to establish good social dialogue and re-launch the company. He vowed that the ETF and ITF would do everything in their power to reinstate Jeżewski in his job.
Unions are urged to support the Labour Start campaign.
ITF and ETF urge action over dismissed aviation union leader in Poland
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Worldwide Inspectors unite in Cyprus to defend seafarers’ rights
More than 130 ITF inspectors from across the globe have come together in Limassol, Cyprus, for the ITF’s Worldwide Inspectors Seminar (22–25 September 2025) this week. The seminar, held once every
news
Press Release
ITF solidarity statement with the Global Sumud Flotilla
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing over 16.5 million transport workers across 150 countries, stands in unwavering solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and all
news
Young dockers and seafarers unite in Cyprus to build skills and solidarity
Last week, young dockers and seafarers from across the globe came together in Cyprus for the ITF Maritime Roundtable – a space for young maritime trade unionists to learn, share and grow as leaders in