Anniversary of 1980 August trade union accords celebrated in Szczecin
Officials representing the Polish government, president and trade unions on Tuesday celebrated the 36th anniversary of the signing of the August Agreements of 1980 in the north-western city of Szczecin.
The ceremony marking the 36th anniversary of the foundation of Poland's Solidarity trade union began at noon in front of the Szczecin Shipyard. A message from President Andrzej Duda was read out by head of the President's Office Malgorzata Sadurska.
"A powerful wave of freedom began rising in August 1980. The Solidarity effort which began on the coast was a historic moment when society stood with determination in opposition to the totalitarian authorities. It gave millions of Poles hope for regained dignity and subjectivity", the president wrote in his message.
"For the first time in Central and Eastern Europe resistance to the regime brought an actual victory: the signing of the August Agreements. One of the most important provisions was the foundation of independent trade unions. The agreements signed in Szczecin, Gdansk and Jastrzebie Zdroj opened the way to historic changes", President Duda pointed out.
"Today we pay homage to the true heroes of those August days, also to those who are nameless", wrote Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in a message read out by Maritime Economy Minister Marek Grobarczyk.
"Workers, shipyard crews, independence activists, community workers, producers of independent publications, leaflets and posters - all of them contributed to the victory. They fought for a free Poland, bread and dignity. We owe today's sovereign and solidary Poland to their indomitability, fortitude and patriotic attitude", PM Szydlo underlined.
The Szczecin Accords signed on August 30, 1980 ended the strikes in Western Pomerania and were the first of a series of agreements between striking workers and the communist government. The agreements ultimately led to the formation of the Solidarity trade union, the first legal trade union organisation in communist countries that was independent of the authorities. (PAP)
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