“July new meat distribution system goes into effect without…”
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Socialist Republic1980Trade unions and workers' strugglesTrade unions and workers' struggles
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1 July new meat distribution system goes into effect without prior announcement. Meat to be sold by commercial butchers instead of by statesubsidized shops — that is 40-60 per cent higher prices. 1 July © strikes in Ursus tractor factory, Gdansk vehicle parts factory, and others. 8 July aircraft factor in Mielec on strike — wins 15 per cent wage increase. . 10 July: several large factories in Warsaw on strike, Struck plant in Lublin, textile workers in Zyrardow, etc.
First generalised strike In Lublin:
machinery. 17 July railway workers strike. 18 July bus and tram drivers, bakeries, come out.
Demands of railway workers’ strike committee include free elections to the official trade union, family allowance to equal that of police and military, and no victimisation. Throughout July and first half of August, strikes continue in all parts of the country: 18-24 Huta Stalowa Wola construction machinery July plants. 23 July machinery plant in Wroclaw;
transport workers in Chelm.
S11 Aug _ dustmen in Warsaw. 8 Aug textile factories in Lodz. 11 Aug bus drivers in Warsaw. 12 Aug tram drivers, Warsaw. 13 Aug taxi drivers in Warsaw. 14 Aug 5,000 demonstrate in Warsaw at Tomb of Unknown Soldier.
By mid-August there had been over 800 disputes.
Gdansk strike 14 Aug Lenin Shipyard workers go on strike over sacking of three activists of the Committee for free trade unions in the Baltic (A Walentynowycz, L Walesa); although they are reinstated negotiations continue on seven more demands, including abolishing official trade unions. trike committee delegates vote to form AllPoland Trades Union Congress.
The Inter-Factory Strike Committee (MKS) is formed as joint committee for factories in 3 cities: Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot; it has a list of 16 demands; in Lenin Shipyard, strikers refuse peace offer agreed by strike committee.
Government commission set up under T Pyka to examine grievances. telephone links between Gdansk and country cut off.
Jan Litynski placed under house arrest. Gierek’s speech-plea for return to work strikes in Szczecin, Elblag — strike committees set up.
MKS demands increase to 23. strike in Nowa Huta steel mill. 14 members of KOR arrested.
Pyka replaced by Jagielski, who also refuses to negotiate with the MKS.
Church calls for prudence and wisdom. Government finally concedes to negotiate directly with MKS; negotiations will be relayed to conference hall of 700 delegates and to workers outside by loudspeaker; the delegates will vote on every proposal. plenary session of Central Committee opened in response to widespread pressure in local party meetings throughout country.
THE GOANSK oT RIKERS 3. Compliance with the constitutional as compensation for the recent rise Gdansk shipyard workers -carry strike leader Lech Walesa on their shoulders after winning demands.
20. An increase in the commuter!s allowance to 100 zlotys from 40, with a supplemental benefit on sep aration. 21. A day of rest on Saturday. Workers In the brigade system or round-the-clock jobs are to be compensated for the loss of free Saturdays with increased leave or other paid time off,
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9-17 big factories: FSC lorries; lorry repair July workers; Buczek shoes; Agromet agricultural