Great day in Gdansk!

What an amazing day in Gdansk! We began our day with a visit to the Gdansk Shipyard Memorial Monument with its stunning sculpture and multiple plaques and commemorative markers to honor the workers who were killed in the 1970 crackdown. The images and sculptures were compelling as is the history of the events commemorated.






We met Krzystof Dosla, President of the Gdansk Regional Board of the Solidarity Union. Our first questions explored the Solidarnosc banners and flags in his office, and the symbols were explained. The Solidarity Flag has four words: Freedom, Justice, Peace, and Homeland. The original flag had the Eagle of Poland in the middle of the field, but the gold crown on the eagle did not become part of the flag until the union was registered.






We spent an interesting hour discussing the current state of the Solidarity Union and the issues that are of most concern for the union. We learned that the current government and parliament are made up of political parties that support capitalism and classical liberalism; the elected leaders who favor the Union positions are no longer in the majority.

The union is most concerned about the rise in the numbers of people who are dismissed from employment or are not hired due to their unon membership or activities. Also of concern is the in the job humiliation and harassment union activitist endure. We also learned that Solidarity also focuses on the issue of how multinational corporations treat Polish employees differently than they treat employees in their home states.



We learned that about 15% of the working population are union members, and we were surprised to hear that certain professions are barred from membership in Solidarity: police, military, self-employed individuals, civil service management positions...


We then toured Gdansk's old city - so chariming! So many streets with merchant houses of REnaissance style, multiple hues and different peaked gables. Currently, there is a festival that spreads over many city blocks and streets with vendors and foold stalls, so many flavors and aromas and colors and sights to enjoy.