International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest

Extract

Polish Solidarity was arguably the biggest social movement in history. In 1981, at the peak of its influence, about ten million people belonged to the “Solidarity” Independent Self-Governing Trade Union (Niezalezny Samoradny Zwiazek Zawodowy “Solidarność”), the movement's primary organizational vehicle. Many others participated in allied organizations and informal networks of sympathizers. In a country of about 33 million almost every second adult was associated with Solidarity, including many members of the ruling Communist Party (Polish United Workers' Party, PUWP). Solidarity emerged as the gravest organized popular challenge the Soviet-dominated system of state socialism ever faced and is often seen as a key factor in the downfall of communism. On June 30, 1980, the communist authorities announced an increase in meat prices. The next day workers in several factories, including the Ursus plant near Warsaw, Autosan in Sanok, Ponar in Tarnów, and WSK in Mielec, went on strike. During July the strike wave engulfed several regions. On August 14, 1980, several dozen workers began an occupational strike in the Gdansk Lenin shipyard. As during the early July strikes, their demands included pay rises or the rescinding of meat price hikes; but they also asked for the reinstatement of Anna Walentynowicz and Lech Walesa and for the erection of a monument commemorating the workers killed ... log in or subscribe to read full text