Behind the platform is statue of Lenin, and on the table, among the flowers, wooder staterer caece doubt, by a worker worker with raised fists.
This the democratic leadership of the strike: a congress meeting night and day. In front of each delegation is a piece of card announcing the name of their factory. There is a constant shuttle between this hall and the different factories.
The minister was able to see 1s a the 'anti-socialist across the table and in the flesh. of a They were of ditterent ages.
some in overalls, tired, many of nem women, and cach Will a cassette recorder so that their workmates would be able to hear everything that happened.
8pm when comes in. There is total silence. Slowly he walks through the hall under their watchful but happy gaze. On the platform is the entire presidium: nineteen people chosen by the MKS.
Strike leader Lech
Crises and shakes his hand. He suggests that small room Every word will be broadcast directly throughout the plant outside. The agrees. The hall explodes with Joy, chanting 'Leszek! Leszek!' obelements' Baltic Jagielski Walesa nounced. gate, There from time to time.
fades.
gone on strike too! cheers.
wait Gierek change in prime minister is anOutside the main three or four thousand people have gathered to listen.
are amused comments strike.' Sometimes the broadcast Walesa takes the microphone: "The equipment's There are No-one anything new has happened.
A delegate from the main poses an naval dockyard later explains Lech to me: 'It's like when you go fishing. You bait the hook and thinks stupid fish, but he's wrong. general discused his speech in my factory and everyone was of the The speech these changes: so much hot air!
A worker from a fish facdon't know anything about the new The important happening walls for the debates government commission, convinced that they are going to win. They have lost count of the number of factories dailv going on strike. On Sunday a score of new delegations swelled the central strike commmittee. Each is applauded. 'Soon inere won't be enough room ur shoes placed in to win." solidarity from other regions of Poland. But my interpreter, a crowd delegate from an electrical construction factory, explains:
'We don't want a general streets. strike; it would cost Poland too dear. In refusing to listen to us the government is wasting $37 billion a day. But if necessary the whole country will go on