The Scrappiest Shipyard In the World
Solidarity trade unionists from Stocznia Gdansk have planned an emergency demonstration in Brussels this Friday the 31st. Over 100 teamsters are expected to participate in the rally, which will be held outside of the building of the Euopean Commission.
As earlier reported, the Gdansk shipyard is teetering between foreclosure and bankruptcy, or both. Violating EU policy for years, the Gdansk shipyard has been kept afloat by illegally appropriated state aid. Now wise, or finally fed up, the European Commission wants Warsaw to close two of the shipyard's three docks...or start paying back the 1.3 billion euros spent to keep it in business.
Warsaw had been given until August 21st to come up with a proposal for the realistic reduction of the Gdansk shipyard's operations. To the EC this meant closing two slipways at the inefficient yard. However, to Warsaw this was seen as unacceptable. Instead of plans for the shipyard's reduction and economic revival, the Polish government sent the EC a 200-page manuscript on why it would not close two docks; a manuscript which is apparently now being reviewed by the European Commission. Now Poland appears poised to duke it out with the EC over the fabled shipyard.
Perhaps the fact that this is none other than the famed Gdansk shipyard - the very place where Solidarity was born, where worker demonstrations managed to topple the communist regime which once held all of Eastern Europe in its grip - explains why Poland feels like it can put up such a fight. Certainly it's overcome adversity before. Now Solidarnosc is rising once again to adversity - this time from the EU.
English leaflets have been prepared, as well as banners bearing the inscriptions, Petty help, great restrictions and The dictator from the East did not ruin the Gdansk Shipyard, now the EU is holding all the cards.
To ensure that the history of the shipyard is not lost on the authorities, this Friday's rally just so happens to fall on the 27th anniversary of the signing of the historic 'Gdansk Agreement' between the communist government and the striking workers. But 1980 aside, this rally is not without more recent precedent. As recently as last year, EU dock workers - with Solidarnosc's vocal participation - organised a mass rally against the liberalization of harbour services. As a result of the protest, the EU was forced to change their decision.
Solidarity vice president, Karol Guzikiewicz, is convinced that this Friday's action can be just as successful. We strongly believe that the European Commission intends to destroy Polish shipyards. We are convinced that the mass-meeting will be a success."
Once again, the world will be watching as the most famous union in the world this time takes on the EU. Keep an eye on Gdansk Life to find out who blinks first...
