Poland reaches deal with one air traffic controllers trade union. 13 other reject proposal

Authorities had until July 10 to thrash out a deal with the controllers, who had opposed changes to working practices that they said threatened safety. "We have worked out and agreed on a deal ... regarding changes to remuneration and work regulations," PANSA chief Anita Oleksiak told a news conference.

"We are keeping Polish airspace working and finishing the talks over the Polish skies," Oleksiak added, not giving details of the agreement. In addition to pay, the dispute had centred on questions such as whether air traffic controllers could work alone and how long shifts should last.

TVN24 reporter Artur Molęda informed later on Wednesday that only 1 out of 14 air traffic controllers trade unions had agreed to sign the deal with PANSA - ZZKRL. Molęda also said that reporters had not been allowed to ask questions during the briefing, and questions asked behind the scenes had been left unanswered.

TVN24 has also seen letters sent to PANSA chief by three trade unions which had rejected the deal.

One of them rejected all provisions mentioned in the agreement proposal, dismissing them as "discriminatory and arranged against the rules of social dialogue".

Artur Molęda also learned that the agreement between ZZKRL and PANSA includes the following provisions:

- the SPO system (Single Person Operations) will be used only at small airports, during low traffic periods;

- new full-time contracts, which will include the code of ethics;

- new table of remuneration tarrifs not exceeding PANSA budget;

- inflations adjustment for 2022, but paid out in 2025;

- employees unlawfully fired - according to unions - will return to work.

All changes are to be introduced gradually and be fully in place by 2025.