Poland: IFJ and EFJ back De Bauer Media Group workers’ demands for decent working conditions

Negotiations between media companies Bauer Publishing House Poland and AKPA Agency, and union representatives from Inicjatywa Pracownicza ("Workers' Initiative") over pay rises and decent working conditions remain uncertain. The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join its affiliate the German Journalists Union (dju) in ver.di in urging the management of the media group to address the union's specific demands and ensure that the fundamental rights of the workers enshrined in Polish law are respected.

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Credit: Bauer Media Group

Media companies Bauer Publishing House Poland and AKPA Agency, which is part of Bauer Media Group Poland, a German international media group based in Hamburg, have been refusing workers' demands since March 2024.

Media workers at Bauer Publishing House Poland and AKPA Agency made three specific demands to management, namely: a 1,000 Polish zloty (€200) monthly wage increase for each employee, the creation of a Social Benefits Fund as required by Polish law, and a salary grid without which the internal Remuneration Regulations of both companies are legally flawed.

After three meetings with the employer's representatives, the management of Bauer Media Group Poland only agreed to establish a pay grid. The two remaining requests - creating a social fund and raising salaries- were met with a firm refusal.

For years, staff at Bauer Publishing House Poland and AKPA Agency have been faced with salaries barely above the minimum wage, amid a major increase in inflation. Following the failure of the negotiations, the pay dispute has entered a mediation phase with talks moderated by a third party, a professional mediator appointed by the Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Policy.

The next meeting is scheduled on 16 September.

"Our demands are realistic and achievable. Our salaries have only increased by a few per cent for a decade. Meanwhile, cumulative inflation in Poland since 2020 has already reached more than 38 per cent and the average salary has increased significantly with Bauer Publishing making high profits in the meantime. The union also proposed compromises, including the creation of the Fund with a budget of 75% of what is stipulated in the Act on the Company Social Benefits Fund", declared Anita Zuchora, a representative of the union Inicjatywa Pracownicza.

The union reiterates its willingness for real negotiations, including an agreement on a plan of raises spread over several years.

"We stand in solidarity with our Polish trade union colleagues at Bauer Publishing House Poland in their fight for fair, appropriate pay and social security. This is the only way to ensure independent journalism, which is so important for a democracy. The Bauer Media Group is one of the largest magazine and newspaper publishers in Germany. Since last year, 45 jobs have been cut in Hamburg, because Bauer has relocated work to Poland, where salaries are lower. The German employees and works councils fear that a further 30 colleagues will lose their jobs by the end of the year as a result of the relocation of work to Poland. Bauer is making profits on the backs of its employees. We call on the Bauer Media Group in Germany and Bauer Publishing House Poland to fulfill their social responsibility and not to play employees off against each other through wage dumping, but to pay them fairly. Good pay for good work!" stated Renate Gensch, Member of the national board of the German Union of journalists (dju) in ver.di.'

"Media workers in Poland must be paid a decent wage if they are to produce first- class content and stay independent of outside pressure. Management at Bauer must recognize this and constructively address the union pay demand,"declared Krzysztof Bobinski, board member at the Society of Journalists (Towarzystwo Dziennikarskie).

"If negotiations do not lead to positive results, the workers will have no choice but to take strike action. The IFJ and the EFJ will support the media workers. Journalism is a public good and media professionals must be guaranteed decent working conditions in line with EU standards. We urge employers to engage in open consultation and discussion with the union and media workers to ensure a healthy workplace where their fundamental rights are respected and remain at full disposal for further assistance.