As Romney Visits Poland it is Time to Look Back at Solidarity's Support of Wisconsin's Public Employees

It is hard to understand why Mitt is visiting Poland when he stands for everything that is against the union movement that created a Free Poland.  Does he even understand who Lech Walesa is and how he came to power?  One of the many high points of the Wisconsin uprising was the support of  "Solidarnosc".  The following letter should be read again to help us connect to the workers around the world.

Piotr Duda addressed a letter to the American trade union AFSCME supporting their struggle against the recent attempts to reduce workers’ and trade unions’ rights and cut down wages in the public sector in the State of Wisconsin by Governor Scott Walker.

The letter reads:
 

“Dear Sisters and Brothers,

On behalf of the 700,000 members of the Polish Trade Union NSZZ “Solidarnosc” (“Solidarity”) I wish to express our solidarity and support for your struggle against the recent assault on trade unions and trade union rights unleashed by Governor Scott Walker.

We are witnessing yet another attempt of transferring the costs of the economic crisis and of the failed financial policies to working people and their families. As much as some adjustments are necessary, we can not and must not agree that the austerity measures are synonymous with union busting practices, the elimination of bargaining rights and the reduction of social benefits and wages.

Dear Friends, please rest assured that our thoughts are with you during your protest, as we truly do hope that your just fight for decent working and living conditions, for the workers’ rights will be successful.

Your victory is our victory as well.
We will continue to watch the developments there and please keep us informed of any other ways, you think we could be of assistance.

In solidarity,

Piotr Duda
President
NSZZ “Solidarnosc"

I expect that Mitt will not meet with Piotr.