A new addition to the list of outrageous attempts to repress social movements is the Green Way case, where the lawyer for the restaurant, Anna Grzegorska, has written a threatening letter to our colleague A. A. refused to waive her right to get salary turning her training / trial period at the Wroclaw restaurant. In fact, even if she had waived it, it doesn't matter: such work should still be paid. A. demanded her salary for that period.

The lawyer for Greenway threatens to bring criminal charges against A., for "crimes" such as blackmail, posing a risk to business and slander. Together these crimes could carry as much as 14 years in jail.

Just to add insult to injury, Grzegorska informs that should A. not cease in her campaign to get her wages, her university will be informed of her "anarchist activity".

This would be a major threat of repression, with a pptential sentence similar to what the Belgrade Six were facing - if it weren't for the fact that there is absolutely no basis for this and it is just scare tactics. It is probably more likely that Grzegorska will face disciplinary proceedings for her breach of ethics than anything will happen to A.

Still, we take these threats very seriously.

These are the tactics that sleazy bosses are taking against workers who stand up to them.

How many people like this young Green Way employee try to stand up for themselves at the workplace, only to face lies and threats of serious repression?

The casual workforce in places like Green Way is often made up of young students and first time workers - often people desperately in need of money. They are often misinformed of their labour rights by thieving bosses who look for pliable and naive workers, often young girls, to obediently do as they are told without any questions. Standing up to this can carry a high price for the young workers: mobbing, loss of job or being cheated. In this case, Green Way's lawyer has no scruples about even threatening 14 years in jail. In such an atmosphere, we can only admire A.'s courage not to be broken by this: unfortunately, most people would have given up, too scared or discouraged to even ask for their salary.

Something now has got to change and if we have our way about it, it will be Green Way's treatment of their workers.