Solidarity (Polish trade union)

Solidarity (, pronounced ; full name: Independent Self-governing Trade Union "Solidarity" – "Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy "Solidarność"" ) is a Polish trade union that began on 17 September 1980. It started at the Gdańsk Shipyard. Its first leader was Lech Wałęsa. It was the first trade union in a Warsaw Pact country that was not controlled by the Communist Party. It had 10 million members. This was one third of the number of people who worked in Poland. Solidarity helped Poland have fairer elections. These elections were important as the country became less communist.