Solidarity warns Warsaw against thwarting farmers

February 3, 1981

The Solidarity labor union, fresh from a major victory in gaining a 40- hour workweek, has pledged to use its strike weapon if the government moves against peasants demanding recognition of a "Rural Solidarity" farmers' union. Despite Solidarity's plea to use labor actions only for national goals, a maverick local branch vowed to continue its general strike, which has tied up the region for a week. Meanwhile, Polish labor leader Lech Walesa intervened personally to end th e strike in the southern province.