Wednesday, October 28, 2009

2,000 at Polish factory protest job cuts

From: UPI
Cegielski factory in Poznan
About 2,000 employees of a Polish marine engine factory took to the streets Friday to demand a halt to layoffs and a new government economic policy.

The demonstration by workers at the Cegielski factory in Poznan was organized by the Solidarity union, which played a critical role in the overthrow of Poland's Communist government, Polish Radio reported. Protesters followed the same route used in 1956 by demonstrators in an uprising.

Police said a few members of the group, including some they described as anarchists, threw stones and small firecrackers at officers and set tires on fire. They also burned a small coffin symbolizing the government.

About 500 people have been laid off at the Cegielski factory.