No Freedom Without Solidarity:
International Labor Organization 1980

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the UN, responsible for advancing social and economic justice by setting international labor standards. This committee will focus on the "Solidarność" (Solidarity) labor movement in Poland, exploring the Cold War tensions leading to its creation as a trade union in August 1980. Solidarność was the product of Polish workers uniting against unfair working conditions, created by decades of self-destructive and authoritarian economic practices. The significance of Solidarność, as the independent trade union to be recognized by a government under the Warsaw Pact, is highlighted by the fact that one out of every three Polish workers, or just over 10 million workers held membership. The impact of the Solidarność cannot be understated, as it wouldn't just progress working conditions, but civil and social rights, along with the end of communism in Poland. Delegates in ILO will outline a proposal emphasizing the need for workers' unity across Poland, Eastern Europe, and the world amidst the Cold War.