Nokia’s Polish branch refuses to recognize a legal trade union. A pattern of union busting that betrays Finland’s democratic labour values

Związkowa Alternatywa is a legally registered trade union founded in 2024 at Nokia Solutions & Networks Poland. From the very beginning, Nokia’s local management has employed tactics directly drawn from the classic union busting playbook: refusing to communicate, denying legal status, and obstructing any form of dialogue with employees. These are not isolated missteps—they form a pattern, suggesting intent rather than confusion.
Recently, Nokia Poland reiterated in an official letter that “your trade union does not exist for us,” despite receiving multiple formal notifications required by Polish law regarding our activity and membership. This position is blatantly unlawful. According to Poland’s Trade Union Act, employers must recognize and communicate with every duly formed trade union, regardless of size. There are no legal grounds for denying recognition of our existence, and doing so constitutes a violation of fundamental labour rights protected both by national and EU law.

This conduct reveals bad faith. It shows that Nokia is not merely misunderstanding Polish legal standards—it is consciously disregarding them. Such behaviour would be unthinkable in Finland, a country where trade unions helped shape the very foundations of the modern welfare state and social economy. The contrast is striking: a Finnish company that flourishes within a strong system of social dialogue now exports authoritarian labour practices to Central and Eastern Europe.

We ask the Finnish public and press:

Why does Nokia practice abroad what would be unacceptable at home?
How can a company that benefits from Finland’s union culture deny those same rights to workers in Warsaw?
We urge you not to remain silent. Finland’s credibility as a model of fair industrial relations is undermined when one of its flagship companies chooses to ignore democratic labour norms the moment it crosses the border.
To Nokia’s leadership:
We demand legal recognition. We demand dialogue. Your responsibilities do not end at Finland’s borders. Respect the law where you operate. Honour the values you claim to represent

Contact:
Patryk Wójcicki,
tel +48 603579432
Head of Związkowa Alternatywa in Nokia Solutions and Networks Poland

Piotr Nowak
Związkowa Alternatywa Press Officer
+48 535300077