POSTAL STRIKERS COMPLAIN SOLIDARITY DOESN`T DELIVER

March 20, 1989

Striking Polish postal workers, accusing the Solidarity trade union of turning its back on them, has announced they are setting up an independent union. Strikers at Warsaw's main post office, one of dozens across Poland hit by strikes for more pay, said that neither the official unions nor the banned Solidarity union represented their interests.

``Solidarity does not identify with the interests of striking work forces. Driving at an accord with the government, Solidarity is losing the traits of a union and turning into a political movement interested in co-governing the country,'' the strikers said.

``We do not want to be manipulated by the Communist Party and its agencies or be disciplined by Solidarity. That is why we are setting up an organizing committee of a free trade union of postal workers,'' they said.