Rady robotnicze na prowincji – Białostocczyzna 1956–1958
Workers councils in Białostocczyzna in 1956–1958

Summary/Abstract: Since the summer of 1956, the initiatives aim of the selection of a real workers, self-government was developing in many factories. This movement developed after VIII plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (PZPR) in October 1956, particularly in large industrial centres. The situation of workers’ councils in Białostocczyzna was, however, typical of the fate of self-governments in other provincial regions. The establishment of workers’ councils was most often stimulated there by party-administrative factors, and the very existence of the movement was denied by both local authorities and the administration of plants, whereas workers’ postulates rarely extended beyond the issues of wages and welfare. The workers’ councils in Białostocczyzna lacked confidence and determination in pursuing their own projects. A “thaw” on the province had been controlled by the authorities more than in the large centres, which in the short term made it possible to withdraw the concessions granted to the society. The communists eliminated the independent workers’ councils in 1958 without larger problems or loud protests on the part of workers.

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