Workers at a Supermarket in Poland Take Stock to Compensate for Unpaid Salaries
In an unexpected turn of events, workers at the AUCHAN store in Kielce's Galeria Korona shopping mall took drastic action to secure their unpaid wages. With the franchisor declaring bankruptcy and halting salary payments, these employees resorted to a desperate measure—they seized store merchandise and began selling it for cash.
On June 11, a Facebook post was shared on "Pracownicza Demokracja Kielce," urging people to shop at the store, promising that "all proceeds from sales will go to the employees" and reiterating that "cash-only transactions are preferred." The post quickly gained traction, generating media attention and public interest.
Faced with a lack of intervention from higher authorities, the workers took control of the situation. They confiscated goods from the store in a move reminiscent of a thriller plot, yet it's a grim reality for these workers. Despite the unconventional approach, AUCHAN has acknowledged the predicament and shown commitment to supporting the affected employees.
In a statement to next.gazeta.pl, AUCHAN clarified that although the store operates as a franchise, they are not immune to the plight of the workers. "We are in contact with the store manager, and we're exploring all available options to support the staff," the statement read. Additionally, AUCHAN may consider hiring some of the affected employees from the Kielce store in other AUCHAN locations, while there's also the possibility that the Galeria Korona store will be integrated into AUCHAN's own network.
However, the legal implications of the employees' actions are concerned. According to legal experts from bezprawnik.pl, seizing and selling store merchandise could potentially be considered a criminal offense, specifically theft. Employees who find their wages unpaid do have legal options. They can report the matter to the State Labor Inspectorate, launch a labor court case for payment, or opt for "reverse discipline," allowing them to terminate their employment contract without notice due to the employer's breach.
As the situation unfolds, it's important to monitor how AUCHAN's support measures materialize and whether legal actions will be taken against the employees. The outcome could serve as a significant precedent for handling similar cases, finding a balance between legal accountability and compassionate solutions for workers in distress.
- The unpaid wages of workers at the AUCHAN store in Kielce's Galeria Korona shopping mall led to drastic actions, as they confiscated store merchandise for selling.
- Cash-only transactions were preferred in the sales, with all proceeds promised to go to the affected employees, as stated on a Facebook post on "Pracownicza Demokracja Kielce."
- The workers' actions, while unconventional, got media attention and generated public interest, since higher authorities seemed to lack intervention.
- AUCHAN, acknowledging the predicament, has shown commitment to supporting the affected employees, exploring options like hiring some of them in other AUCHAN locations or integrating the Galeria Korona store into their own network.
- However, the legal implications of the employees' actions are unclear, as seizing and selling merchandise could potentially be considered a criminal offense.
- The workers have legal options to handle the unpaid wages, such as reporting the matter to the State Labor Inspectorate, launching a labor court case for payment, or opting for "reverse discipline" due to the employer's breach.
- As the situation continues, it is crucial to monitor how AUCHAN's support measures unfold and decide whether legal actions will be taken against the employees, setting a significant precedent for similar cases.
