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Home , Bogdan Lis, Fighting Solidarity, History of Solidarity

Rada Naczelna Polonii Australijskiej i Nowozelandzkiej

Polish Community Council of Australia & New Zealand Issue 2: SPRING 2005 From the president Polish people all over the world are now celebrating a very special anniversary. The Gdansk Shipyard workers’ victory over the communist government in 1980 galvanized the whole Polish population. It led to , the collapse of the Wall, the disintegration and so on. Solidarity’s famous 21 Demands (postulaty) have become part of world heritage under the patronage of UNESCO. Australians of Polish origin, many of whom are past Solidarity members, wish to celebrate this victory with everybody. The article written by Dr Wlodzimierz Wnuk, a Solidarity past member celebrating 25 years himself, is based on consultations with Solidarity activists in Australia and . His article should help us to understand why and how Solidarity was successful while many similar attempts in Poland and Solidarity celebrates its twenty-fifth birthday this year. It other countries failed. was on the 14th day of August 1980, twenty-five years ago, Dr Janusz Rygielski that workers in the “Lenin” Shipyard of Gdansk, Poland, President of the PCCA&NZ commenced an occupational strike which changed the world. The success of Solidarity was the Poland suffered horrible Second, that protests need be precursor without which the casualties in World War II – public, well coordinated, voiced Australians would not have fallen six million Polish citizens, by masses, and have strong recognised and the would not have equating to 1/6th of the support and recognition from Many Australians helped ended. Without Solidarity, the population, perished. It fought organised workers in Western Solidarity and Poland in those would still hang against the Nazi alliance on both democracies. Thirdly, that these turbulent years 1980-1989. strong and the fear of a nuclear the Eastern and Western fronts protests need to first and war would still be with us today. as the 4th largest army and lost foremost address living and The Polish Government intends Solidarity led to “Perestroika” some 70% of its infrastructure. working conditions and the socio- to award them with appropriate in the USSR and the collapse of Despite Poland’s enormous input economic environment. Finally, medals during the 25th the and its servile in World War II, Poland was the protesting workers must be anniversary of Solidarity . In a wider sense, it “gifted” to one of her oppressors determined, united (solidary) and celebrations. initiated the adjustment of both and attackers, the Soviet Union, prepared to ignore provocation. through the Yalta Treaty (signed the political influence and military At the end of the 1970s, the Committee might of the world’s “Super- in February, 1945). The Soviets oppressive Soviet regime was still Dr Janusz Rygielski powers”, an expansion of real decided to brutally impose their communist totalitarian mono- operationally strong, swift and President democracy, and the liberation of able to tackle uprising. But cracks trade and exchange in Euro-Asia. party system on a nation that Andrzej Alwast not so long ago lived in a free were appearing on the surface. Vice-President, Public Officer Such an achievement could not A major “crack” became apparent democracy underpinned by Ita Szymanska have happened without strong a market economy. due to intensive infightings conviction, mobilization and the within the dominant communist Secretary commitment of a large nation. Poland did not endure the Soviet Party which produced dissidents. Ewa Bajon It is difficult to understand the regime lightly. Many times Poles These “outcasts” were familiar Treasurer uniqueness and the undercurrents tried to shake off the shackles with the Party’s internal John Suchowiecki OAM of this strike without under- of , a rigid and limitations and weaknesses. Vice Treasurer standing the background of the inefficient centralized economy, Another “crack” was the rapidly deteriorating status of the Zbigniew Sudull, OAM persistent struggle of Poles for and servitude. But Spokesman independence and self- attempts by workers in 1953, economy, controlled and governance in their homeland. 1956, 1970, and 1976 failed and mismanaged by the communist Jerzy Krajewski ended in bloody battles and government. Foreign loans Member Since the end of the Second repressions. This lead to the received from the West were Franciszek Rutyna OAM World War, the Polish nation polarisation of opinions and spent by ’s Member longed for full independence feelings, even amongst staunch government on largesse projects which had been taken away from and public relation exercises. And Dr Wlodzimierz Wnuk Communist Party supporters: Member it by the Yalta Treaty. The longing dissidents arose who later, using when a petrol crisis hit and loan for freedom was even more keen their contacts and insider installments became due, this had Rev. Fr. Wiesław Slowik SJ since Poland had, prior to World knowledge, enormously helped a severe impact on merchandise Clergy Representative War II, only 21 years of freedom the workers’ cause. It is from in government shops. At the same Dr Bozena Szymanska after regaining full independence these initial attempts that Polish time Poland was expected to Polish Education Commission in 1918 as the result of a bloody people learned how better to generously contribute to the in Australia World War I. Until 1918, Poland confront the ruthless and self- grandiose Moscow Olympics had endured 123 years of the iron centered communist government. in 1980, a massive financial flop. Honorary Chairman rule of the old European super- Externally, traditional Polish Christopher Lancucki AM powers, Prussia, Russia and First, they learned that streets are exporters were losing markets Austria. These three countries had inappropriate place to vent their to emerging Asian economies. Council's representative in New Zealand partitioned and annexed Poland anger. in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jan Roy-Wojciechowski

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Such a “spark” was the callous Solidarnosc (The Independent sacking of , a and Self-Governing Trade Union crane operator in the government- Solidarity or “Solidarity” for short) Superimposed over this was the owned “Lenin” shipyard in – was born. Gdansk, just a few months short of fast rising pride of Polish Roman This day is now celebrated in Catholics, a majority of the her retirement. She was one of the founding members of the illegal Poland as a national day of population, who had been Solidarity and Freedom. opposed to from the Free Trade Unions of the Coast start. For decades, the Church had (Wolne Zwiazki Zawodowe In 2003 a hand-written text of the been discriminated and ridiculed Wybrzeza). The founding famous 21 workers’ postulates was by atheists, communists and declaration of the Free Trade added by UNESCO to the World Marxists. The election of cardinal Unions states that: Cultural Heritage List (Memory of Karol Wojtyla to the Holy See of “the genuine social organisations the World). Such a privilege is only Peter as the world leader of one and associations may save the granted to documents which have of the largest provided country, since the only means to had a profound influence on the an unexpected and very strong consolidate the interests and will world’s history. moral boost to the Polish of the citizens with the interests Catholics. This was evident during Solidarity was unique. It was and the power of the country is a mass movement rather than the inaugural visit of the Pope democratisation” John Paul II to Poland in 1979. a typical trade union, because Buoyed by the recent success of it was not profession specific and But probably the fatal threat to a similar workers’ protest in the it set and sought the goals of the governing party’s dominance region, Anna’s colleagues - wider political and governance was the growing conviction of , Piotr changes. In the 1980s, it garnered the nation that communism was Maliszewski, Jerzy Borowczak, a broad anti-communist social unable to provide a satisfactory Bogdan Felski and Lech Walesa - movement with supporters solution to get the country out convinced the shipyard employees ranging from Roman Catholics to of economic crisis and institute to strike in protest. This started members of the anti-communist reforms. Jokes and caricatures a as the left. The union was initially backed from this period clearly illustrate metaphorical “fires” of workers’ by a group of intellectual a complete lack of trust and strikes engulfed the whole nation. dissidents (Workers’ Defence Above: Lech Walesa and confidence in the pompous and Committee – KOR), and it was sympathisers at the entrance to arrogant government of “block- The strikes in the 1980s had the based on the rules of nonviolent the “Lenin” shipyard in Gdansk heads”. Prohibited underground following distinguishing features: resistance founded on a refusal to during the 1980 strike. publishers flourished producing cooperate with the Government. reprints of “illegal” books which ■ the participants decided Soon, Solidarity had 10 million dealt with issues of long to stage peaceful protests members, more than a half of the suppressed historical truth. sit-ins at their workplaces; whole workforce in Poland at that Overseas radio stations such as ■ the workers elected their time. It created its own media and Solidarity was unique. “”, the BBC, and own leaders, rather than rely culture. Suddenly, Poles could feel foremost “Radio Free Europe” on officials from the pro- a freedom and independence not It was a mass movement (run by Jan Nowak-Jezioranski), government trade unions. One experienced since the beginning rather than a typical as well as Jerzy Giedroyc’s “Culture of them was the world’s most of World War II. There was relative – Literary Institute” (Kultura famous electrical technician, freedom from both Soviet trade union, because Instytut Literacki w Paryzu) all Lech Walesa, a charismatic and influences and the hypocritical it was not profession had a crucial role in breaking the able communicator, who was demands of the autocratic specific and it set and Communist Party’s monopoly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize communist apparatus dominated on information and censorship. in 1983; by a sclerotic Party largely sought the goals of Their assiduous and tenacious ■ the strikers sought and relied consisting of Communist wider political and constructive journalism prepared on advice from centre-left “dinosaurs”. The loosening of Poles for change by revealing , sympathetic the Soviet shackle was palpable. governance changes. the inner workings of the intellectuals and Party The ideology of the Solidarity Government, highlighting its dissidents; idiosyncrasies, doctrinal limitations movement spread like wildfire and failures, and by presenting ■ the demands of the workers throughout Poland; more and and discussing alternatives. The were mainly of a political more new unions were formed uncensored version of the Polish nature - they wanted trade and joined the Federation. history was researched – for unions that were independent Solidarity’s affiliates now included example: Poles had been waiting of the Government); they such diverse unions as: the for 35 years to hear the truth wanted negotiation about Independent Self-Governing about the Ribbentrop-Molotov award conditions with the Trade Union of Independent treaty, the Katyn mass murder of biggest employer - the State. Farmers; (SW); Polish prisoners of war (including The workers also wanted to Freedom and Independence (WiN); army officers, clergy and initiate a fundamental socio- Freedom and Peace (WiP); the intelligentsia); and the Warsaw political breakthrough in Confederation of Independent Uprising of 1944. Poland. Poland (KPN); the Movement for In the end, the Polish Government the Defense of Human and Civic Since Poland’s communist reluctantly agreed to most of the Rights (ROPCiO); and the neighbours also had their share demands, but only after its power- Independent Student Union (NZS. of problems, the coincidence of play and bluffing backfired. The agenda of Solidarity, although such factors created a powerful On 31 August 1980, Government primarily concerned with trade feeling that “something” was representatives signed a formal union matters, was universally bound to happen. The political agreement with the striking regarded as the first step towards atmosphere, especially in the large workers, and thus a new trade dismantling the monopoly the Below: Shipyard workers at industrial cities, was charged and union federation – NSZZ Community Part had over the the field mass in 1980. waiting for a spark. whole of Poland.

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Polish Community Council of Australia & New Zealand

Australia, in particular, accepted a proportionally large number of the immigrants from the “Solidarity Wave”. Many of the Polish immigrants organised support and help from Australian workers and trade unions for the victims of persecution in Poland. Actions like “Solidarity with Solidarity”, “Help Poland Live”, and various public rallies, were hugely popular and spread the Solidarity name. Throughout the early and mid-1980s, Solidarity survived solely as an underground organisation, supported by the general populace, the Church and supporters from overseas. For example, in 1984, the International Labour Marian Jurczyk, , Lech Walesa and Organisation in Geneva started presiding over the workers meeting in the shipyard. proceedings against the Polish The main ideas of Solidarity – riot police armoured in personnel Government for violations of independence and freedom – carriers seized Poland. Several Convention 87 and 98 of the ILO embraced all geographical thousands of activists were charter, which Poland had ratified. Top: Police confront Solidarity demonstrators during regions of Poland and all socio- interned and many were The Communist Party via its John Paul’s 1987 visit to Poland. economical groups, thus the subsequently severely beaten in security forces unleashed its movement became dangerous prison. Many large factories put frustration on Solidarity Above: Pope John Paul II visits Poland for other Soviet-aligned up resistance in response. Within supporters not stopping at in 1979. communist nations. Emergency a fortnight all of them were murder. Students (Grzegorz Inset: The crowds in Wroclaw in 1983 meetings of the Warsaw Pact pacified by the armed riot police. Przemyk, Marcin Antonowicz), – John Paul II’s visit to Poland during the martial law. leaders as well as military exercises In the coal mine of “Manifest members of the clergy (Fathers were held. Communist party Lipcowy”, four miners were Jerzy Popieluszko, Stefan Below: At the MKS meeting in the general secretaries demanded injured by bullets, in “Wujek”, Niedzielak, Stanislaw Suchowolec, shipyard, 1980. that the Polish Government crush nine were killed and twenty-one Sylwester Zych), and movement From the left: Zbigniew Kobylinski, the Solidarity movement because received bullet wounds. activists (Piotr Bartoszcze – NSZZ Bogdan Borusewicz, , it was creating problems in their RI “S”) were cold-bloodedly Joanna Duda-Gwiazda i . own countries. An invasion (or The main ideas murdered. Father Kazimierz “brotherly help” in the Communist of Solidarity Jancarz and others managed to Party’s parlance) was considered escape from ambushes. as early as 1 December 1980, – independence and but the costs turned out to be freedom – embraced The survival of Solidarity was exorbitant and prohibitive. Also, an unprecedented event not only the Polish nation had a powerful all geographical in Poland, a satellite of the USSR trump card - this is what Neal regions of Poland ruled by a dominant-party Ascherson wrote in “Polish Communist regime, but also in August” (Penguin, 1981): and all socio- the whole Eastern bloc. economical groups Thankfully, despite the cruel “An official from the Communist suppression of Solidarity, the Party of the Soviet Union, Vadim Thereafter, every year on embers of hope for a better way Zagladin, had arrived at the 31 August – the anniversary of the of life were still glowing in Poland. Vatican for discussions. Their Solidarity beginnings – peaceful content remains secret, but a few Facing mounting economical street demonstrations were days later two different sources problems and continual social organized. Some participants reported that the Pope had told unrest after six turbulent years, were killed by security forces Zagladin that if Poland were the Polish Government decided (2 in Gdansk, 1 in Wroclaw, 1 in invaded he would simply fly to negotiate at the Round Table Nowa Huta, 3 in ). Many home to be with his own people.” (Okragly Stol) with a new wave more were injured and/or of Solidarity leaders of whom only The Polish Government did try to arrested. four per cent were the leaders quash the movement by its usual During the martial law and of the original Solidarity. As a totalitarian tactics: intimidating subsequent resistance, nearly result of these talks, in April 1989, the Solidarity leaders; threatening one hundred people were killed or a new Solidarity (with a modified and arresting leading activists perished. Many more were forced constitution) was legalised and of the movement; through to emigrate, with one-way exit allowed to participate in the “mysterious” killings; and passports, others chose not to upcoming elections. In these beatings of lower ranked activists. return home from overseas. limited elections, union candidates The Party also stalled on It is estimated that Poland lost won a striking victory, thus implementing the agreement approximately one million of its abolishing the communist system signed on 31 August 1980. educated, skilled and mostly in Poland in June 1989. By the Finally, in December 1981 “martial young citizens. Western end of August in the same year, Above: “Faces of Solidarity” law” was imposed by a military democracies opened their borders a Solidarity-led coalition – Lech Walesa, Anna Walentynowicz, junta led by General Wojciech for them, gaining a young and government was formed and Andrzej Gwiazda, Bogdan Lis, Jaruzelski. Polish army tanks and capable workforce in the process. in December, Lech Walesa was , Jerzy Popieluszko.

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celebrating 25 years Polish Community Council of Australia & New Zealand

being able to tell their story. About Polish Quite a number of details and undercurrents are still misrep- Community Council resented, misclassified and of Australia and misunderstood. Some of the events New Zealand from Solidarity’s heroic past were skewed in the media to serve a particular pragmatic aim at the The Polish Community Council time, and remain so even now. of Australia and New Zealand Unfortunately, the Polish Institute Inc. is non-profit, non politically of National Remembrance (Instytut aligned community-based Pamieci Narodowej) does not have voluntary umbrella body for sufficient means or resources to Polish community organisations collate, research and publish the in Australia and New Zealand. of the 80s, The Council was established as the period of martial law or the an Australian organisation political struggles up until 1989. in 1950 to represent the The history of Solidarity is a Australian Polish community Above: Sz. Wesoly, John Paul II, Lech Walesa – audience in Rome. testament to the power of within Australia and abroad employees who want to have and to coordinate the activities elected as Poland’s first “free” a new constitution, the NATO a strong, independent trade of Polish community president after the end of the pact and the European Union. union. As in the 19th century, organisations in Australia. Second World War. The implementation of such this determination changed the Several Polish community monumental changes was only political map of the word. It also organisations in New Zealand This sparked off a succession possible because Poland had affected Australia - our current joined the Council in 2002. of peaceful anti-communist a government it could trust and home country – through the Membership of the Council “counter-revolutions” in Central whom the nation gave a “carte- immigration of a large group of which had a blanche” permission to. The skilled migrants many of whom is open to all Polish and domino effect. By August 1090 previous communist and neo- settled in large capital cities. It Polish-Australian organisations the communist system had been communist governments could has also affected Australian from all States and Territories abolished in Hungary and by not have even dreamt about foreign policy. Poland is no longer and from New Zealand. November the Berlin Wall had making such changes. However, a member of an enemy bloc Currently, the Council comprises fallen. A year later the Soviet such drastic change, even with but is Australia’s ally, as it was in 26 member organisations Union disintegrated and the overwhelming popular support World War II. Poland is now a (which in turn, have a number Cold War ended. Four hundred was not without social pain and member of the Coalition of the of member sub-organisations) million people started a new many tribulations. As a result of Willing and cooperates with with over 10,000 volunteers chapter in their lives; for many such grand transitions, the New Australia in counter-fighting involved in a range of of them this transformation was international terrorism. Solidarity lost the election in 2001 community programs and difficult and painful. to a government with the roots Today most of the “Solidarity activities. So it was that in 1989 a political in the Polish communist past. Wave” of immigrants have turning point occurred when extended families who “call The Council’s objectives It was time for Solidarity to are set out in its constitution. a remarkable turn-around in re-evaluate its actions and goals. Australia home”. The “new” the relationship between the immigrants have rejuvenated Its activities and operational Not many leaders of the New framework support the government and the opposition Solidarity survived this assessment. the Polish organisations formed principles of Australian was formed. It was then that the Many of them, especially the ones by the first wave of post-war multicultural policy based on today’s most significant results with political experience, ambition Polish immigrants, mainly soldiers of the decade-long mass and zest, left Solidarity and joined and displaced persons who were the notion of upholding the movement of the 80’s were various political parties in the refused entry to the Homeland values and principles of prime-started and pushed now pluralist Poland. To this day, (for whose independence they democracy, freedom, justice through. But this development they still contribute to governance were fighting on the world fronts) and respect for human rights. and transformation in Middle by the senseless and dogmatic and law in the and Senat – The Council’s headquarters are Europe was overseen by a new the Polish Parliament. Soviet installed Communist Solidarity – a successor to the government. The new Polish currently located in Brisbane, Solidarity of the 80’s, which was The Solidarity of the third arrivals provided a needed Queensland, having been so banned in 1982 by the Communist millenium is different from both continuation of the Polish heritage determined by the Congress Party during the martial law in its predecessors. It has returned in Australia. of Delegates in 1999. Poland. to its grass-root trade unionism and is lead by a new generation It is not coincidental that the Since 1989, the New Solidarity of activists. Its membership names of two of the most underwent another transform- consists of mainly employees recognisable Poles in the world, ation. Initially, by participating from privatised and/or corporate Pope John Paul II and Lech Walesa, in a number of Polish governments enterprises. It is no longer a mass are linked forever with the noble Contact details (through the Solidarity Electoral movement. Solidarity’s leadership and peaceful mass movement For further information about Action – Akcja Wyborcza now concentrates on issues known as Solidarity. membership and activities of Solidarnosc), and thus resembling different to the ones that the the PCCA&NZ, please contact: a political party rather than a On the 25th anniversary of previous Solidarity generations Solidarity, we all should remember Polish Community Council traditional trade union, it was had to face and solve. instrumental in changing the the lessons of this free trade of Australia & New Zealand economic, legal and political The history of Solidarity is a vital union’s history. 10 Marie Street, MILTON Q 4064 system in Poland. It participated element of the history of Europe Tel: (07) 3288 1605 in the privatisations of and the modern world. However, Fax: (07) 3288 5360 government enterprises and not enough is done to preserve Email: [email protected] adjusted industrial awards to the knowledge of this era and meet with modern reality. New movement. Many active www.polish.org.au Solidarity steered Poland towards participants have died without

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