One of the highlights of the conference was the Saturday evening banquet speech by Victor Reuther, one of the founders of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the 1930s. As an advocate of union democracy and in opposition to the UAW's concessions strategy, Reuther stands as a bridge between the rich and militant history of the US tradeOpen work fo Solidarnosc?
union movement of the 1930s and the developing anti-concessions movement of the 1980s.
The conference is not a decision-making one, but functions as an information-exchange. This year, however, one resolution adopted unanimously was a message of solidarity that one member will take to El Salvador to give to the UNTSsponsored peace conference.
and productive plant. It is the fact that the potential victory was turned into a defeat by the trade-union bureaucracy that has been the big blow to the labor movement here.
The event has moved the soft underbelly of the trade-union movement more into the concessions camp, but at the same time there has been the emergence of a countervailing trend: the development of those who demand an end to concessions. And this is the development of a "hard left." Need to develop a political arm
Clearly one aspect that needs to be developed by this newly-emerging social unionism is a greater understanding of the need to develop a political arm. In this sense, as in many others, the US trade-union movement can learn from the emerging unionism in the third world, and especially from the Brazilian experience, where the industrial unions have started the process of initiating a workers' party that reflects the needs of the entire working class, both organized and unorganized, both employed and unemployed.
Although eight countries were represented at the conference, the vast majority of participants were US trade unionists, followed by a significant number of Canadians. In addition to the three panels, there were a number of geographical meetings, meetings by industry, as well as Black, Latino and women's meetings. For the first time, the conference held a men's meeting to discuss how men, particularly in male-dominated industries, can fight effectively against the backward
THE DECISION by the Polish regime to extend a political amnesty on September 11 to imprisoned leaders and activists of Solidarnosc led to an attempt by the union leadership to establish an area of open work for the first time since the crackdown of December 13, 1981.
On September 29, an open Provisional Council of Solidarnose was formed. (See International Viewpoint, No. 108, November 10, 1986.) On the same day, statements were issued by Lech Walesa, chair of the union, and the Provisional Council. They were published in issue No. 182, October 1, of Tygodnik Mazowsze, an underground publication close to the leadership of Solidarnosc.
The following leaders of Solidarnosc were members of the new Council. Zbigniew Bujak from Warsaw, Wladyslaw Frasyniuk and Jozef Pinior from Lower Silesia, Bogdan Lis and Bogdan Borusewicz from Gdansk, Janusz Palubicki from Poznan and Tadeusz Jedynak from Upper Silesia.
On October 12, Lech Walesa met with the Temporary Coordinating Commission (TKK, the underground leadership of Solidarnosc), and they issued a joint statement.
On October 6, the Regional Strike Committee (RKS) of Lower Silesia declared that union activity in that region would remain strictly underground. Two days later, the Regional Executive Committee (RKW) of Warsaw emerged from clandestinity and began to operate openly.
Its example was followed by the leaders of Solidarnose in several major industrial centers - Lublin, Upper Silesia, Lodz, Szczecin, Poznan and Nowa Huta, the steel center outside Cracow. where open committees were established. The same thing happened in several smaller regions - Pila, Konin, Kielce, Opole, Radom, Gorzow Wielkopolski and Jelenia Gora.
This attempt to establish legal work is obviously a turn for Solidarnosc and has prompted considerable discussion within the anti-bureaucratic union movement. On the fifth anniversary of Jaruzelski's declaration of a state of war against the independent workers' movement, we are publishing below a series of statements and articles from publications and leading bodies of Solidarosc on this operation. The first statements are taken from the October 28 issue of Uncensored Poland, the bulletin of the Information Centre for Polish Affairs in London.
The sources for the other statements following this material are marked at the beginning of each piece.
International Viewpoint 22 December 1986
11
Joint Statement of TKK and Lech Walesa, 12 October, 1986
On 12 October a session of the Temporary Coordinating Commission [TKK] of Solidarity took place, attended by Chair Lech Walesa. Among others who took part were Jan Andrzej Gorny and Marek Muszynski.
The present situation of the Union was discussed. It has been agreed that recent events are not sufficient grounds for radically changing the clandestine character of Union activities. It has been the only feasible and efficient form of action in conditions prevailing since December 13, 1981, and, apart from certain changes, prevailing to this day.
The current organization of the TKK of Solidarity was discussed. Following a motion of the Chair of the Union, it has been decided unanimously that Jan Andrzej Gorny and Marek Muszynski will return to normal life. The consolidation of the structures efficient forms of organizational action prevailing at present make it no longer absolutely necessary for them to remain in hiding. Lech Walesa and the TKK have expressed their heatfelt thanks for Jan Andrzej Gorny's and Marek Muszynski's long and devoted service to date.
In discussing the situation of the Union it has been stated that the wave of recent political events in Poland is causing a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding among members of Solidarity and sympathisers. Acting on the conviction that the good of Poland requires actions undertaken in a spirit of patriotism and democracy - which at present means respect for the principles and traditions of Solidarity - we declare the following:
1. Solidarity consists, according to the statute, of autonomous regional organizations.
2. Current activities are under the direction of the TKK of Solidarity, which coordinates activities of regions, initiates actions on the national level, and represents the Union to the outside world.
3. The TKK of Solidarity is a collegial body consisting of chairs appointed representatives of regional executive commissions (RKW, RKK, RKS, RK).
4. The TKK acts in close cooperation with the Chair of Solidarity, Lech Walesa.
5. The leadership of regional organizations of Solidarity is in the hands of regional executive commissions which coordinate and assist union organizations in individual enterprises, remain in contact with them, work out plans of action and represent them outside the region.
6. Basic units of Solidarity are factory (enterprise) structures directed by clandestine factory commissions (TKZ). Survival of the structures means survival of Solidarity. In present circumstances it has to be stressed once more and very firmly that it is necessary to maintain the formula of clandestine action as the only one 12 that is feasible in conditions prevail- 3. The real strength and import- P ing since December 13, 1981 and ance of any organization is deterpersisting to this day. mined by its human potential and
7. The organ which represents material base. The RKS firmly holds d the Union outside the country is the that as long as there is no guarantee of B Coordinating Bureau of Solidarity safe union activity for Solidarity, Abroad set up by the TKK and based that is, that no one will be persecuin Brussels. ted for union activity, and that 1
8. Recently we have been wit- equipment and other material means cl nessing attempts of widening the for- in our possession will not be con- d mula of action through open actions then bringing factory strucof groups of activists of Solidarity. tures out into the open or dissolving SE While considering these attempts with them cannot be justified. In fact, lc interest, the TKK stresses the need it would be suicidal for the Union. to maintain security requirements We hold, moreover, that as long as di and to protect the underground Solidarity remains de-legalized it is not CE human potential, together with the realistic for factory structures, regional SC material base, which jointly deter- bodies or the TKK to attempt open ch mine the strength and significance union activity. This does not mean ST of the Union. that it is impossible to carry out open
9. The TKK considers that main- actions for the re-legalization of se taining and protecting internal democ- Solidarity. We see a clear difference bl racy in the Union is a fundamental between the two. iV condition of its efficiency. We consider it natural that th Lech Walesa, Chair of Solidarity: Temporary there should be rotations and gradual al Coordinating Commission Solidarity; changes in the personnel of units at re regional representatives: Lower ia, any level, which may be caused by in Sidena, Crakot Wester, Peerania, Crakow, Western Pomerania, Upper capture, tiredness, leaves of absence, etc. This natural process, however is Bc no reason to disband units, to bring of them out into the open and to disStatement by Lower Silesia continue their activities. Pr Bc (Wroclaw) region of Solidarity, 6 5. Regional organs (in the case MI October, 1986 of Lower Silesia the RKS) coordin-
St ate and assist the work of union
In response to many questions structures in the factories, remain and doubts addressed to the Regional Strike Committee concerning, among in constant touch with sult them on forms of action, them, and act con- 01 other things, the problem of coming out into the open or dissolving units as their representatives region. Similarly, the TKK, outside the which al R of Solidarity, we present our position in the matter, arrived at after consul- tations with Solidarity activists in darity. regions, speaks for the whole of Soli- consists of representatives of active The chair of Solidarity is Sc ar factory and inter-factory units.
Lech Walesa, and the Coordinating
1. We welcome initiatives of Bureau of Solidarity in Brussels is duly of trying to find and creating new forms of action for the benefit of Solidarity empowered M and the good of the remain convinced that the Provisional We RKS of Solidarity in Lower Silesia on these premises, Cr mi Ki Council of Solidarity is going to serve declares that it is not going to set up these aims. We affirm that basic units of open regional council. CO Solidarity are structures within in- again what we have said many times that whoever wishes to be co be dividual enterprises headed by clan- active in Solidarity can find his place of survival of these destine factory commissions. structures means The and enormous scope for action in the existing structures of the Union, or na the urvival of Solidarity, whereas in securing their extension. St their dissolution would be tantamount to decomposition, disruption or The most important current regional organizations of a cessation of union activities. No Lower Silesia have been presented in regional or national body can replace the RKS resolution of 16 May, 1986. da well-organized basic structures. The The Programme's Theses published in Pe role and importance of these units is Z dnia na dzien No. 24/413 were most clearly appreciated by union intended to initiate a discussion on activists who remain in constant future ways of action, tactics, organiworking relation with the factories. zational forms and strategies. The fact that Solidarity has survived the TKK to undertake a critical as an organization during five years study of these documents and, posof reprisals and persecution is very sibly, to adopt them for the Union as largely due to the fact that our Union
La whole. has grown up from the grassroots, that is, in the most natural manner. The organizational structures develop- Statement by Gorzow Wieled in this way have the greatest chance kopolski region of Solidarity, of survival. The role and importance of
6 October, 1986 Lower Silesia on the map of our Union is, in our opinion, the result of Considering the decision to free the fact that the RKS has always political prisoners as a step enabling remained faithful to these two basic the establishment of genuine national principles: the primacy of factory accord and for all groups and social structures and independence from any circles to join in the process of lifting political groupings. the country out of the economic,
International Viewpoint 22 December 1986
political and moral crisis; and also in response to the appeal by Lech Walesa and the Provisional Council of Solidarity, the Presidium of the Regional
Board of Solidarity of the Gorzow
Wielkopolski region decided to resume open activity as from 19 October open activity as from 10 Oathor
1986. We wish thereby to take the chance of agreement, opened by the decision of the authorities, but we wish to take it as an organization truly self-governing and independent, not losing our identity.
We regard the presence of Solidarity in the open social life as the central condition and guarantee of solving Polish problems. Our crisis is characteristic of a crisis within the system, and overcoming it requires changes in the system, freeing social self-government and initiative and unblocking all fields of economic activity. On our part we wish to join in this process. The attitude of the authorities to our initiatives we shall regard as a touchstone of their real intentions.
Edward Borowski, Chair of the Regional
Board; Tadeusz Korodziejski, Deputy Chair of the Regional Board; Jerzy Gospodarek,
Member of the Presidium of the Regional
Board; Zbigniew Zieba, Member of the
Presidium; Franciszek Konaszewicz,
Member of the Presidium.
Statement by the Kielce Regio
Statement by the Kielce Region of Solidarity, 12 October 1986
On 12 October, 1986, the Provisional Council of Solidarity for the Kielce Region has been formed. Its members are: Marian Jaworski, Member of Solidarity's National Commission and Chair of Solidarity's Kielce Region;
Kazimierz Koruba, Board member of the Kielce Region; Bogdan Rys, Member of Solidarity's National Commission and Board member of the Kielce Region; Jerzy Stepien, Deputy Chair of Solidarity's Kielce Region.
Our only aim is the good of the country, which is affected by the continuing crisis. The crisis can only be overcome through a joint effort of Poles who work for a genuine national agreement. Statement by the Radom Region of Solidarity, 6 October 1986
Acceding to the decision by Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Prize winner, to form Temporary Councils of Solidarity, regarding it as particularly important and valuable and directed by a deep concern for the good of Poland and the Polish people, we announce that the Temporary Council of Solidarity for the Radom region has been formed. After democratic elections in the years 1980-81 in independent union structures, we undertook the social responsibility for the sizeable, many thousand strong electorate of working people. We carry this responsibility still, because in our consciences we have not accepted the violent, overwhelming and one-sided method used to eliminate Solidarity from social life. The trust which we had then accompanies us now; five years after the tragic night of 13 December. This
International Viewpoint 22 December 1986 is why we consider it to be a sufficient raising his hand or arms against his social mandate to present the authori- brother. We do not wish to see prisons ties with another proposal for dialogue, again filling up with people suffering which is the reason for our Council. for their convictions. We do not wish The formation of the Council should to see large social and professional enable all those responsible for the groups finding themselves outside the fate of our country to undertake mainstream of social and professional effective and lasting action leading to life. We do not wish to see young the achievement of a meaningful Poles resign themselves from working national understanding. The existence for Poland and country to casting of our Council should also at the their fates abroad. We are convinced same time be a motivation for finding, this task of establishing a Council of through sincere dialogue, mutual Solidarity, which is a sign of the understanding, such solutions and times for the country, will bring decisions which will help to extricate unity and solidarity for all Poles our country from the many and still closer. We express the hope that our deepening crises. We want the work of voice will be properly understood our fellow Poles to bring happiness and that the authorities, after the and for it to increase the beauty of July 1986 amnesty, will embark on our country. We want a Poland in the next, rightful step leading to which there are no people who drop pluralism in social and economic out of life, living from day to day life. We await the return to a true without hope; we want for it to be realization of the August 1980 agreebetter, different. We are trying to ments. At the same time we express show people the goodness of life our support for the Provisional Counwithout oppression, wherever it may cil of Solidarity. come from. Our work for society Witold Krol; Jerzy Pierzchala; Jan Pajak; will be carried out openly, because Jan Rejezak. the violent methods employed to resolve social problems, often used in our country and in our region, Statement by the Opole Region always brought with them the viola- of Solidarity and lowers human dignity. tion of rights to personal freedom This is the fifth year since the imposition of martial law and the
We never want to see another Pole suspension of open activity of Soli-
Strike at the Gdansk shipyards, August 1980 (DR) ShaBa B
darity. The time which has passed has not brought the solution burning social problems any nearer, neither where the economy and standard of living are concerned, nor in the field of human rights dignity. The only way out of the deep internal crisis is the way of honest dialogue between the rulers and society. It is a necessary condition of such dialogue for society to have the possibility of expressing various opinions and views, particularly in a framework of open activity
Solidarity. For this reason we welcome the emergence of the Provisional Council of Solidarity and the resumption of open activities in the regions. In order to assist initiatives of the Provisional Council which aim to open a dialogue with the authorities, we have decided to set up a temporary Regional Council of Solidarity for the Opole Region. Jan Calka, Member of the Regional Executive; Jerzy Gnieciak, Chair of the Provincial Committee of Solidarity of Individual Farmers; Roman Kirstein, Vice-Chair of Regional Executive; Andrzej Kwiatkowski, Member of Regional Executive, Chair of Factory Commission of Solidarity in the Swierezewski Steel Mill; Janusz Sanocki, Chair of the Town Commission of Solidarity in Nysa; Stanislaw Tkacz, Member of Regional Executive, Chair of Factory Commission of "Renifer"; Wieslaw Uk leja, Chair of the Independent Students Union in Opole, member of Solidarity; Franciszek Winiarski, Chair of Solidarity of Private Artizans in Opole; Eugeniusz Wyspianski, Member of the Inter-factory Committee, Rudnicki Area. Statement by the Provisional Council of Pila Region Solidarity, 16 October, 1986
In view of the new socio-political situation in Poland after the freeing of political prisoners and the formation of the Provisional Council of Solidarity in Gdansk, the individuals gathered together today: Jaroslaw Gruszkowski, ZNTK Pila; Anna Kalamoniak, ZOZ Pila; Czeslaw Wysocki, Catering Schools Group Pila; Zbigniew Perka, POMET Pila; are forming, with the approval of the Regional
Executive of the Pila Province Region, a Temporary Council of Solidarity in
Pila.
We regard as our most important task the representation of union structures which have been in existence since 1980. On the basis of the programme resolution of the 1st Congress of Delegates of Solidarity we shall strive for preserving the principle of pluralism in social life, full implementation of economic reform on the basis of authentic selfgovernments in the enterprises, safeguarding and improving the living standards of those who have been the hardest hit by the economic crisis, and also in view of the ecological crisis, for preserving the environment.
Statement of the Poznan Region of Solidarity, 22 October, 1986
In order to facilitate the passing from clandestine action into open action, we are setting up a Council of Solidarity for the Poznan Area 4 consisting of: Wieslaw Chossa, Poznan; Marek Gaul, Poznan; Jaroslaw Gruszkowski, Pila; Anna Kalamoniak, Pila; Zazislaw Lewandowski, Poznan; Bogdan Narozny, Wrzesnie; Janusz Palubicki, Poznan; Ryszard Stachowiak, Konin. Statement by Nowa Huta Solidarity Board, 23 October, 1986
We, the undersigned, declare that after six years we are resuming activities of the Steelworkers Committee of Solidarity in the Metallurgic Combine in Krakow. The democratically elected Steelworkers Committee represented over 90 per cent of the workforce. Soundings of public opinion have shown that the Committee, though formally delegalized, is still considered to be the legitimate and trustworthy representation of the workforce. On this ground we have never ceased working for the restoration of union pluralism. The highly complex economic situation of the Combine, including problems of production, requires creative professional involvement of the entire workforce. The ongoing decline of the national economy, technological and civilizational backwardness and the serious ecological threat to the city of Cracow due to the vicinity of the Lenin Foundry makes our participation in the task of saving the country absolutely necessary. Mieczyslaw Gil, Chair of the Workers Committee of the Lenin Foundry; Stanislaw Handzlik, Vice-Chair; Jan Ciesielski, Member of the Presidium; Edward Nowak, Committee Member.
The statement has been sent to Lech Walesa, the Cardinal-Archbishop of Cracow, the President of the City of Cracow, the Editor of 'Tygodnik Powszechny', editors of the popular daily and union press. Statement from Solidarnosc: Bulletin d'Information, Paris, No. 151-152, November 5, 1986
On September 30, 1986, the Kegional Executive Commission of Solidarnose for the Warsaw region, with the same composition that it had before the most recent arrests, resumed its open activity. The day before, September 29, Lech Walesa formed the Provisional Council of Solidarnosc. Moreover, stressing the great economic and ecological dangers threatening Poland, he declared that the union was ready to take the road of dialogue and mutual understanding.
Over the last 40 years, promises of liberalization to the society have often been followed by repression. The regime has always sought to stifle nascent pluralism. We hope that it will not be the same this time, that the authorities have understood that they can no longer run our country without the participation of the nation and against its will.
We are aware of the precariousness of the situation. Many unionists in our region have declared themselves ready to replace us within the Executive Commission if we are arrested. We think that in no case let a chance pass to act in an open way both in trade-union work can we and more generally in the effort to improve the situation in the country. We are convinced that the course of events depends in large part on the population. As Solidarnosc activists we bear a heavy responsibility. We do not want to call for demonstrations. Nor do we want to see wretched living conditions drive workers to strike.
In many factories, our activities are ready to bring the trade-union commissions out of clandestinity. We must act with the greatest prudence. Where clandestine commissions have an action program and the support of the body of workers, the risk can be taken. But where this is not the case, it is better to form parallel groups responsible for presenting proposals to the plant managements concerning improvement in working conditions and in the health and safety conditions of the workers.
In this way, we can try, little by little, to restore trade-union pluralism. Today, the burden of trade-union work rests essentially on the underground factory commissions and on the structures of Solidarnosc set up after December 13, 1981. The course of events will show whether they must remain underground.
The most urgent thing today is to straighten out the economy. The union and the entire society must open up a debate on a genuine reform and on the future economic model. Only a vigorous social movement focused on reform can oblige the government to carry out changes that can open up the way for an improvement in the living and working conditions of the workers. It is the self-management councils that give impetus to such a movement.
The workers and Solidarnose activists must join in and participate in the self-management movement, launch initiatives in the factories but also on a bigger scale so that the field of action of the councils will be broadened, which is in conformity with the laws of September 1981.
It is urgent to undertake actions to defend the environment, to provide a healthy diet for the people and to improve the living conditions of the population. It is urgent to harness the territorial and professional self-management councils to the work of carrying out reform, reform that will make them a focus for the energies of the citizens.
Rebuilding the country, defending the standard of living of the workers demands the carrying out of deepgoing institutional reforms. We can speed the accomplishment of such reforms and affect their nature through constructive actions and reasonable proposals, which will be adopted after a national discussion on the means for getting the country out of its present decline. This is the task to which the Regional Executive
Commission of Solidarnose intends to devote itself.
October 8, 1986
Konrad Bielinski, Zbigniew Bujak, Victor
Kulerski, Ewa Kulik, Jan Litynski.
International Viewpoint 22 December 1986