TAJNA KOMISJA ROBOTNICZA HUTNIKÓW NSZZ „SOLIDARNOŚĆ” HUTY IM. LENINA (1982-1989)
THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF STEELWORKERS IN THE INDEPENDENT SELF-GOVERNING TRADE UNION “SOLIDARITY” IN VLADIMIR LENIN STEELWORKS (1982-1989)

Summary/Abstract: In September 1982, by the initiative of Stanisław Malara, a Secret Labour Committee of Steelworkers (TKRH) was created, which replaced the underground structures of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” in Vladimir Lenin Steelworks, dissolved by the Security Services (SB) in the summer of the same year. The activity of TKRH was coordinated by Maciej Mach. In time, the activity of „Solidarity” in Vladimir Lenin Steelworks developed in three overlapping levels. These were: a deeply concealed management of TKRH, the active underground Social Fund of Workers Support, and a very active Pastoral Ministry of Steelworkers in the Szklane Domy housing estate. This cooperation resulted in creating one of the best organised centres of underground “Solidarity” in Poland Keeping with its idea of a long-term conspiracy work, TKRH was rejecting actions which would endanger its concealment, and was therefore against the concept of an occupational strike. It was concentrating on distributing trade union press and independent publishing houses, organising the celebrations of the thirteenth day of each month and the anniversaries of important events not recognized by the Communist regime. In years 1986-1988 TKRH was publishing its own informative bulletin titled “Solidarność Hutników” (“the Solidarity of Steelworkers”). After the announcement of strike in Vladimir Lenin Steelworks on the 26th of April 1988, representatives of TKRH were included as members of the Strike Committee and by acquiring majority introduced the postulates of a political character. On the 17th of May 1988 TKRH activists co-created the Organisational Committee of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity”, of which the main task was to create offi cial structures of the Union within Vladimir Lenin Steelworks. TKRH was dissolved on the 21st of November 1988, when, during the celebration of the seventh anniversary of consecrating the standard of the steelworkers “Solidarity”, for the fi rst time its members revealed themselves. Afterwards, during the proceedings of the Second General Meeting of the Delegates of “Solidarity” of Vladimir Lenin Steelworks (29-28th of April 1989) Bolesław Kozłowski presented the report from the activity of TKRH and formally presented the members of its Presiding Board. According to this relation they were as follows: Józef Bobela, Adam Czechowski, Jan Kądziołka, B. Kozłowski, Józef Krężołek, Tadeusz Legutko, Maciej Mach, Wiesław Mazurkiewicz i Marek Szczupak.

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