The Independent Self-Governing Trade Union

Solidarity

Introduction

• The Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarność was founded as a result of worker protests and established on the basis of the Gdańsk Accords signed on 31st August 1980 by the Inter-enterprise Strike Committee and the Government Commission.

• NSZZ Solidarność represents 722.000 workers, what is 4,35% of the total unionisation of work force in Poland (11-13%).

History• 1978 - the first founding committees of

Independent Trade Unions• 14th August 1980 – the Gdansk Shipyard

went on strike. The Twenty One demands were presented!

• 31st August – the August Agreements were signed by the Strike Committee and Governmental Committee

• 17th September 1980 - in Gdansk the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity was established

Structure• The National Congress of DelegatesThe National Congress of Delegates• The National CommissionThe National Commission• The National Supervisory CommissionThe National Supervisory Commission• The Regional Convention of Delegates The Regional Convention of Delegates • The Council of the Regional Branch The Council of the Regional Branch

Section Section • The Audit Commission of the Regional The Audit Commission of the Regional

Branch Section Branch Section • The National Congress of the SecretariatThe National Congress of the Secretariat• The Council of the SecretariatThe Council of the Secretariat• The Audit Commission of the Secretariat The Audit Commission of the Secretariat

ObjectivesThe Union's objectives are to defend the The Union's objectives are to defend the

rights, dignity and: rights, dignity and:

• employees' interests of the members employees' interests of the members guarantee workers' rights in the areas of guarantee workers' rights in the areas of employment, remuneration, living and employment, remuneration, living and workplace health and safety conditions; workplace health and safety conditions;

• fight unemployment and assist fight unemployment and assist unemployed Union members. unemployed Union members.

• guarantee employees the right to improve guarantee employees the right to improve their vocational qualifications; their vocational qualifications;

Objectives• protect the health, material, social, and protect the health, material, social, and

cultural interests of its members and their cultural interests of its members and their families; families;

• undertake efforts through social dialogue undertake efforts through social dialogue to harmonise proper enterprise to harmonise proper enterprise management with workers' interests; management with workers' interests;

• cooperate with international organisations cooperate with international organisations in the scope of protection of human and in the scope of protection of human and trade union rights and dignity; trade union rights and dignity;

• protect culture and education in a broad protect culture and education in a broad sense; sense;

Science and Education Secretariat

• The National Congress of DelegatesThe National Congress of Delegates• The Council and PresidiumThe Council and Presidium• The Supervisory CommissionThe Supervisory Commission• The Regional General Assembly of The Regional General Assembly of

delegatesdelegates• The Regional BoardThe Regional Board• The Regional Supervisory CommissionThe Regional Supervisory Commission• The Local General Assembly of DelegatesThe Local General Assembly of Delegates• The Local Board and Supervisory The Local Board and Supervisory

CommissionCommission• The Circle of an Educational InstitutionThe Circle of an Educational Institution

The role of SKO i W• Represent the teachers in front of all authorities,• At the national level- we are fighting for wages

and working conditions of Polish teachers,• We take part in negotiations/ common bargaining,• We co-create and express our opinions on all

educational documents/ bills,• We are one of the parties of the Social Dialog,• At the local level- we negotiate allowances/

bonuses, motivating supplements, executive rewards. We pass the judgement on regulations. We take part in the promotion of teachers and competitive commissions for school’s managers.

The Union Activity• Take some researches and collect data,• Publish books, newspapers, magazines,• Organise some conferences, seminars,• Run specialised courses and

programmes at schools,• Take part in the projects.

As the union ( not a political party) we must represent our members and be the ‘spokesperson’ for them!