Kickoff of international week of actions against anti-union practices of Lionbridge. Join too!

02/07/2008

On Monday 30th June Priama akcia – IWA Slovakia organised the second protest action in the seat of Slovak branch of Lionbridge or as Irish folks called it - „Lying Bridge“. First news show that the action week initiated in cooperation with Polish anarchosyndicalists slowly brings its first results. What is needed now is to push even harder before 4.7.2008 when the trial starts!

Events in Žilina, Slovakia

This was our second action in Žilina branch of Lionbridge (first was in March together with International Secretary of IWA/AIT). We went to 3rd and 9th floor where LB operates. On the 3rd floor we met with a few employees, had a talk and spread leaflets.

Then we went to 9th floor where management seats to express our protest against the practices of the company and to show our support of Jakub and to give them small present (hanged lion with the Lionbridge name to stress that the company is digging its own grave). In the hall a person who introduced himself as Vítězslav Šišlák approached us. We asked if we can meet with the manager, to which we received the reply that there is nobody there who could have time to meet us. We knew that the Polish manager was not there. However, several things showed us that the Slovak manager was there and that he just cowardly sent this stooge. We didn’t want to leave that easily, especially after this arrogant dealing with the guy saying „and now please leave“. However, we left after a while (that, we think, was a mistake). We handed out our present for the management. The guy said: “I hope there is no bomb in it” so we at least had a good laugh. We also noticed a felt pen sign next to the entry doors on the 9th floor saying “Readmission for Jakub!“ that made the management so angry that Priama akcia received an e-mail from the owner of the building (not LB) that we are not welcome there anymore because of this.

At the parking place we spread some leaflets to windscreen wipers and left the place with thoughts what was done wrong and right.
We would like to thank non-PA members for support of the action.

Events in Warsaw

In our article Join an international week of protests against the labour practices of Lionbridge corporation we wrote about ways to help in the case of dismissed unionist Jakub G and other details.
Today, 2nd July, just 3rd day of the action week, we can clearly see the first results of international pressure. Moreover, the Polish management received info about the 4th July solidarity demo in front of the Warsaw company office. Their response? Panic in the Warsaw branch. In other words, a crisis meeting was called in a hurry to find what to do. One of results is that they want to block the case from getting to mass media. Also last week’s visit by the Labour Inspection that was interested in Jakub’s case was stressful for the management. It seems the Lion doesn’t like publicity. Which we will give it with pleasure;)
For those who want to know more about the background and concrete lawsuit matters, we refer to articles from the website of Union of Polish Syndicalists Czy publiczne informacje mogą być tajemnicą firmy? and O sprawie.

Events worldwide

Besides our action on 30th June and international call for solidarity that caused many e-mails and other forms of protest by individuals and organizations, there will be other actions. For example in Madrid, Dublin, Copenhagen and Warsaw on the 4th of July. Check news at the website of the Union of Polish Syndicalists. There are also connections being made with translator's associations which are interested in the case. For example, the Irish ITIA published info about Jakub’s case. International pressure with actions directly in Poland shows itself to be a strong weapon that will lead to successful outcome. The fact is that Lionbridge management knows well they have no chance to win the court case.

The campaign goes on! And you can still easily join

Lionbridge thought that Jakub wouldn't defend himself. They were wrong. Now it is important to put such a pressure, that they immediately give in and accept Jakub’s readmission. They have to feel that lawsuit will only hurt their reputation and that they cannot act towards unions like that. That’s why we again appeal to show your solidarity. We believe you can find a few spare minutes and we want to say thanks beforehand for that. Just click on article Join an international week of protests... and you will learn how to do it.

Priama akcia

Present for the LB management in Žilina, Slovakia:

When Lionbridge eats unions

Unions will eat Lionbridge