Railway workers’ protest across Poland. Why are rail employees losing patience? Find out where you’ll face disruptions and what the protesters are demanding.
Where does this protest come from? The main reasons for the demonstration
On 28-30 July 2025, an organised protest by railway workers is taking place across Poland, including road blockades in as many as 13 cities. The Trade Union of Railway Locomotive Engineers, supported by the OPZZ, decided on this step in response to growing problems in the rail sector, in particular mass layoffs at PKP Cargo, the country’s largest freight carrier. Last year as many as 3,665 employees left the company. Union members warn that the situation may worsen this year and next, with further layoffs planned, totalling over 2,000 people.
Main protest slogans:
- Saving jobs in the rail industry
- Reversing the trend of promoting road transport at the expense of rail
- Strategic investment and ecology
How and where are railway workers protesting?
The protest action involves blocking key routes and intersections between 10:00 and 14:00. Demonstrations are taking place, among other locations, in:
- Warsaw (ul. Marywilska 39)
- Czechowice-Dziedzice (DK1)
- Dąbrowa Górnicza (Aleja Piłsudskiego 117)
- Wasilków (DK19)
- Bydgoszcz (ul. Kamienna)
- Poznań (Gądki, Theodorus Raben roundabout)
- Tarnowskie Góry, Brzesko, Żory, Łazy, Stróża, Stróża Kolonia, Skałka
The blockades are being carried out as announced, from Monday to Wednesday, during rush hours – meaning significant disruption for both drivers and public transport passengers.
List of main protest locations:
| City | Blockade location |
|---|---|
| Warsaw | ul. Marywilska 39 |
| Czechowice-Dziedzice | DK1 from ul. Kopernika |
| Dąbrowa Górnicza | Al. Piłsudskiego 117 |
| Bydgoszcz | ul. Kamienna |
| Poznań – Gądki | Rondo Th. Raben, ul. Magazynowa |
| Tarnowskie Góry | ul. Zagórska 70 |
| … | … |
Why now? Rail vs. lorries – arguments and examples
The union members don’t mince their words: „One train can carry as much as a hundred lorries, yet road transport is being promoted!” – says Leszek Miętek, president of the Trade Union of Railway Locomotive Engineers. The protesters point to road investment as an example: more and more construction materials, steel and aggregates are being loaded onto trucks instead of wagons. At the same time, a public debate on ecology is underway – and rail carriers also have their arguments here: rail is more economical and far less harmful to the environment than the growing fleet of heavy trucks on Polish roads.
What are railway workers fighting for? Demands and outlook
In short, the protesters are demanding:
- Renegotiation of the state’s policy towards rail transport,
- Providing realistic and long-term support for PKP Cargo,
- Investment in modern rolling stock and infrastructure,
- Job security and respect for the skills of sector employees.
The Minister of Infrastructure reassures that the ministry shares many of these demands and plans new investments and the purchase of rolling stock. In addition, PKP Intercity and other regional carriers may partly take over the laid-off locomotive engineers after appropriate training.
Although the ongoing protest is causing tangible disruption for drivers and city residents, it is also becoming an important warning signal for decision-makers.
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