The I ndependent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity

1. The Independent Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity

2. 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%).

3. 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

4. Structure • The National Congress of Delegates • The National Commission • The National Supervisory Commission • The Regional Convention of Delegates • The Council of the Regional Branch Section • The Audit Commission of the Regional Branch Section • The National Congress of the Secretariat • The Council of the Secretariat • The Audit Commission of the Secretariat

5. Objectives The Union's objectives are to defend the rights, dignity and: • employees' interests of the members guarantee workers' rights in the areas of employment, remuneration, living and workplace health and safety conditions; • fight unemployment and assist unemployed Union members. • guarantee employees the right to improve their vocational qualifications;

6. Objectives • protect the health, material, social, and cultural interests of its members and their families; • undertake efforts through social dialogue to harmonise proper enterprise management with workers' interests; • cooperate with international organisations in the scope of protection of human and trade union rights and dignity; • protect culture and education in a broad sense;

7. Science and Education Secretariat • The National Congress of Delegates • The Council and Presidium • The Supervisory Commission • The Regional General Assembly of delegates • The Regional Board • The Regional Supervisory Commission • The Local General Assembly of Delegates • The Local Board and Supervisory Commission • The Circle of an Educational Institution

8. 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.

9. 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!