Grupa Azoty faces escalating labor dispute in Poland

Polish chemical giant Grupa Azoty is confronting a widening collective‑bargaining conflict that has led unions to announce a strike emergency across its key plants, notably in Puławy and Police. Workers, represented by five unions including NSZZ Solidarność, are demanding a 1,000‑zł gross wage increase, reinstatement of the Barbórka bonus, and equalisation of social benefits that were suspended in 2024. They also seek independent safety audits of plant installations.

The company, headed by CEO Marcin Celejewski, argues that many demands have already been addressed in recent wage agreements and that the firm posted a profit thanks to historic sulfur prices – up to $1,000 per tonne on European markets. Union leader Paweł Dendera countered that the financial situation has improved and that the demands are “minimal”. A meeting between the unions and Celejewski failed to close the gap, and mediation is scheduled for 4 August. The dispute unfolds as Grupa Azoty pursues large‑scale investment projects while trying to balance profitability with employee relations.