Solidarity strike stalls transit in Polish city

August 26, 1981

Solidarity leaders in the south central city of Radom shut down public transit for an hour in a strike delayed six hours to avoid a showdown with pro-government unions.

In an uncharacteristic move, Solidarity backed away at the last minute from its deadline for the strike. The union said it did so because members of the pro-government "branch unions" intended to counter the strike by taking over some of the city's 200 buses. The strike was postponed to avoid confrontation with the branch union, whose drivers work only the morning shift.