Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the collapse of the aviation industry in Europe and worldwide, and similar to many other airlines, the Polish airline PLL LOT found itself struggling. Recently, the Polish government approved state aid for the airline, and the European Commission will be making a judgment about it soon.
ETF and Związek Zawodowy Personelu Pokładowego i Lotniczego (Trade Union of Cabin and Flight Crew) addressed a letter to the Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen, expressing their support to the state aid. They explain that while PLL LOT has received state aid in the last 10 years, these are extraordinary circumstances and assistance is needed to protect jobs and workers’ livelihoods.
At the same time, they make the case for conditionality of state aid. Like many other airlines, PLL LOT has created a precarious working environment for their pilots and cabin crew, with some workers being self-employed, and therefore deprived of social and employee rights. The two union organisations believe that the company should be supported, and at the same time cease all its harmful practices and protect workers.
The letter is available here.