Solidarity (Polish trade union) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Solidarity (Polish: Solidarność, pronounced [sɔliˈdarnɔɕt͡ɕ] ( listen); full name: Independent Self-governing Trade Union "Solidarity" – Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy "Solidarność" [ɲezaˈlɛʐnɨ samɔˈʐɔndnɨ ˈzvjɔ̃zɛk zavɔˈdɔvɨ sɔliˈdarnɔɕt͡ɕ]) is a Polish trade union that began on 17 September 1980 at the Gdańsk Shipyard under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa. It was the first trade union in a Warsaw Pact country that was not controlled by the Communist Party. It had 10 million members which was one in three of the total working-age population of Poland.

Images for kids

  • Ostrowiec Solidarnosc 20100815

    30-years of Solidarity mural in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski (priest Jerzy Popiełuszko in foreground)

  • A T-55 on Václavské náměstí, Prague

    The logo of Solidarność painted on an overturned Soviet era T-55 in Prague in 1990

  • Solidarity petition, Edinburgh

    Students in Scotland collect signatures for a petition in support of Solidarity in 1981

  • ETUC, Solidarity Trade Union - Budapest, 2011 (2)

    Solidarity, ETUC Demonstration—Budapest 2011


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