Press release by Kumpel für Auf "Julian Wächter has won his case against Kali + Salz (K+S)!"

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Published: Wednesday, 30 November -0001 01:00

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Full success of solidarity has significance for all miners: Miner Julian Wächter has won his case against Kali + Salz (K+S)! At the court hearing on 11 April, the Fulda Labour Court ruled that K+S had unlawfully dismissed miner Julian Wächter without notice. The reason for this was his militant speech at a staff meeting in September 2023. This means that the employment relationship remains in place. Julian must continue to be employed until the end of the legal dispute. Congratulations to Julian!

This victory is a great success of solidarity from the K+S workforce, miners and trade unionists nationwide and internationally. There was great indignation among workers that K+S is denying the right to freedom of expression at works meetings. Was K+S's repression intended to muzzle the entire labour movement? A whole series of colleagues at K+S signed in favour of Julian's reinstatement, collected signatures themselves or donated to the legal costs. Various miners contributed to the successful lawsuit with information and tips or actively participated in the Kumpel für AUF solidarity group. The defence of freedom of expression is of fundamental importance for the labour movement and trade unionists nationwide! The court judgement makes it clear that critical and even polemical statements at staff meetings are not grounds for dismissal.

The judgement is also a success against the repression of the militant miners' movement around the world. Julian was one of the German delegates at the 3rd International Miners' Conference in Thuringia in September 2023. He was dismissed shortly afterwards. Julian had already given militant speeches in the past - but now the dismissal followed shortly afterwards, A rogue who thinks evil of it.

Miners from Kazakhstan, Congo, Ukraine, Morocco, England and Colombia sent Julian their solidarity greetings and declared their full support against the repression. A member of the International Miners' Coordination from Morocco wrote: "Together we will win the fight against all the threats you face." Greetings came from the middle of the war situation: "I fully support them and express Ukraine's solidarity". Nationalism weakens and divides the miners, international unity makes them a strong force! Here, what the 3rd International Miners' Conference decided "No struggle must stand alone" came to life!

Kumpel für AUF has helped to publicise the case. The great response in many media outlets has certainly also had an effect.

At the court hearing, 40 visitors supported Julian, who courageously defended his position and was represented by his lawyer Peter Weispfenning in a competent and highly committed manner. Quite a few predicted gloomily that you shouldn't mess with a global corporation like K+S like this. But Julian and Solidarity have won, K+S is on the defensive. This emphasises: If you don't fight, you've already lost! Only those who fight can win!

Julian offered his labour immediately after the victory - we demand that K+S lets him start up again immediately!

The success of the solidarity strengthens the miners at K+S and everywhere and encourages them to unite and fight for the interests of the workers. Join the militant miners' movement Kumpel für AUF!

A friend from the Congo writes: Congratulations to Julian the victory is our common goal. Long live Julian's victory, long live the miners of the whole world 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

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