Below is the full text of the letter sent to our editorial office:

Bolesławiec, August 31, 2015

Statement of the Organizing Committee for the 35th Anniversary Celebrations of NSZZ “Solidarity” at the Local Organization of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec County concerning the presentation of commemorative medals marking the 35th anniversary of NSZZ “Solidarity” during the Ceremonial Session of the Bolesławiec City Council held as part of the 2015 Bolesławiec Ceramics Festival

In connection with a statement issued by several workplace trade-union organizations of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec questioning the legitimacy of awarding Commemorative Medals marking the 35th anniversary of NSZZ “Solidarity” to certain individuals, we inform all interested parties that:

  1. The commemorative medals marking the 35th anniversary of NSZZ “Solidarity” were awarded to all distinguished recipients by decision of the Organizing Committee for the 35th Anniversary Celebrations at the Local Organization of NSZZ “Solidarity,” and not through the unilateral decision of any one person. Representatives of all workplace organizations may participate in meetings of the County Board of our Union. That is also where all comments and doubts should be raised. For two years, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Celebrations had asked all chairpersons of workplace organizations to become actively involved in preparing the Anniversary; not all of them followed these requests, however, and they responded to the Committee’s activities only when the celebrations were taking place.
  2. The medals, together with written thanks, were received not only by private individuals, but also by people representing businesses and various municipal institutions—not for pro-union activity, but for their assistance in preparing and organizing the Bolesławiec part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of NSZZ “Solidarity.” These were therefore not union distinctions, but a ceremonial way of recognizing the individuals and institutions that had assisted the Union in its Anniversary activities.
  3. Józef Pokładek, the former Chairman of the Bolesławiec local government, who appeared on stage during the Ceremonial Session of the Bolesławiec City Council, did not represent the Union; he was merely the person leading this part of the proceedings on behalf of the Organizing Committee. In fact, the Union was represented at the session by the chairman and treasurer of the Board of the Local Organization of NSZZ “Solidarity,” accompanied by members of the Organizing Committee.
  4. While respecting the democratic right to self-determination, we remind the protesting union members that the Statute of our Union clearly specifies who, when and in what form may submit protests and express dissatisfaction with decisions made by union bodies at various levels. To put it mildly, issuing any statements immediately after a ceremony and the presentation of thanks is tactless and does not serve cooperation—either within the union or between the Union and other entities.
  5. Hoping that this Statement will bring the public discussion concerning the distinctions presented during the Ceremonial Session of the Bolesławiec City Council to an end, we apologize for this situation to all interested individuals, union members and activists, and people who may feel discomfort because of what has occurred.

With union greetings
Chairman of the Board of the Local Organization of NSZZ “Solidarity” in Bolesławiec County
Zbigniew Razik (+)

The above statement by the Chairman of the Board of the Local Organization of NSZZ Solidarity concerns this statement by the trade-union organizations.