Some of the 2,000 workers from the Cegielski factory in Poznan clashed with police, Friday, during an otherwise peaceful demonstration.

Anarchists wearing scarves over their faces and a few workers from the Cegielski factory – the site of massive protests in 1956 against the communist authorities – threw stones and small fireworks at policemen, burnt tyres and a coffin devoted to the government, in protest against job cuts at the factory.

The protesters handed a petition to the governor of the Wielkopolska province Piotr Florek, demanding Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government introduce a restructuring programme and new economic strategy for the factory.

The demonstration, organized by the Solidarity trade union, started at the Cegielski factory and marched along the same route as the historic labour demonstrations in 1956.

The Cegielski factory, which mainly produced ship engines, has had to dismiss around 500 staffers because of the crisis and unions warn that more layoffs could be coming. (mg/ek)