Solidarity meeting ends in uproar

Press, 25 March 1981, Page 8

Solidarity meeting ends in uproar

NZPA-Reuter Bydgoszci The Solidarity independeni union postponed until latei yesterday, a decision on t possible general strike bui voted unanimously to stage such a strike immediately ii the Government declared a state of emergency. An earlier urgent meeting of the union’s national commission ended in an uproar after demands for another vote. on. Solidarity leader Lech Walesa’s proposal for warning strikes on Friday and a general strike next Tuesday if the Government did not meet, the union’s demands. The meeting was called to determine what should be done to protest against last week’s beating of unionists

in a Government building in Bydgoszcz. Three of the vic tims were taken to hospital Mr Walesa, angry that his proposals had not been accepted, stormed out of the meeting shortly before it ended. A union communique issued later said a meeting would convene later for another vote. Union leaders fear that the Polish Government will declare a state of emergency if a general strike is called, and the 50 members of the national commission cast the ballots unanimously for a nationwide strike to begin automatically if a state of emergency and curfew were imposed.

The union demands that grew out of the beating are for the dismissal of a Deputy Prime Minister (Stanislaw Mach), the Vice-Gover-nor (Mr Roman Bak), the local police commander and regional prosecutor. - Mr Walesa had offered a motion that, while-' seeking continued talks, would call for two-to-four hour warning strikes on Friday arid then a general strike on Tuesday if the Government rejected the demands.

It appeared that about twothirds of the 50 commission members had voted for his plan, but the scene became confused as more motions were offered, some commission members arguing for an immediate general strike, some backing only, warning strikes and others proposing that talks with the Government be broken off. A recount was called for and an angry Mr Walesa walked out, shouting about too many ballots being cast and other alleged irregularities. The follow-up meeting with another vote was. then set.

Solidarity’s national leaders were scheduled to resume talks today with a deputy Prime Minister, Mieczyslav, Rakowski, about the beatings. Those talks . adjourned or Sunday. It seemed that, Mr Walesa wanted to continue the negotiations) with Mr Rakowski while holding over his head the possible,' warning ; strikes arid general strike.. , .... The commission did ‘vote to transfer its regional offices into big factories, saying that that would give the. union officers more safety, arid a more efficient control of union 1 activities.