Original subtitles

MORNING

This is Warsaw, channel one,

Six AM. Morning News,

First Secretary of the Polish United Workers Party has arrived in Kielce.

"INDUSTRY — PROGRESS — SOCIALISM"

He visited a number of leading industrial projects...

Met with workers,“

"SOCIALISM GUARANTEES SECURITY AND A HARMONIOUS DB/ELOPIMENT 0F PEOPLE’S POLAND"

Every day, the list of factories which accepted the challenge...

The team of the Szczecin shipyard will achieve yearly targets early...

“HAIL THE WORKING PEOPLE"

“LONG LIVE AND THRNE THE POLISH REPUBLIC"

...and will surpass planned production by 70,000 tons.

WORKERS 1971

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US

WORK ASSIGNMENT

- PillarA1A: Mozik. - Here

- Niemiec! - Here!

- Wéjcik! - Present!

Gemik...

Pillar C1: Gasior, Lebek, Jurochnik and Makowski!

Here!

Pillar 01A: Apriaf, Tatarczyk,

Kazimierczak, Dera...

TOOLS

Sixteens.

Sixteen? And what’s the name?

- Galeziowski. - Galeziowski, right?

Romanowski, it’s not ready.

It’s not ready yet.

So how am Ito work?

Nothing’s ready.

Molenda didn’t get it ready.

They got papers but...

They’re not thinking about what to get together.

And now I have to stand around and wait for work.

You won’t, I’ll just drop this off and come by a second time.

But how long, an hour? And I’ll have to wait...

And what did you have?

- For the heaters? - No, no heaters

Let’s tell it like it is, tell it like it is.

There’s a law, you talk too much, they’ll throw you out.

And that’s what happened. That’s what happened

Our deputy is not much of a supervisor...

Exactly, that’s what happened. The committee chairman came.

- Who, Orlowski? - Yes.

And called me in here and talked to me.

I told the truth, that we’re working hard, that we make little money,

that we have little norms, that... I mean the norms are too high

and the pay is too little.

They told us that, well I told it like it is, that we don’t have cards,

we don’t know what the prices are, we don’t know how much we make,

we don’t know the hourly rate, and the next day,

they called me upstairs and gave me a transfer?

But why are you scared to talk about these things.

They’re scared because they talk and get thrown out the gate.

I would have been thrown out myself, if the doctor didn’t stop me.

Nobody’s been thrown out for this yet.

If the doctor hadn’t given me a certificate that I can’t be transferred...

People are scared. That if you don’t like it, the gate is wide open

and you gotta go, right? That’s why everybody breaks.

Please, feel free, behave and talk like always, at every assembly.

What is the projected pay raise? This is what it’s about, right?

- Yes. - Over the next five years.

But in what way? How will you qualify for the raise

that is being considered right now, in the guidelines for the sixth congress.

The projection is from 17-18%.

Due to technological progress, and increased efficiency...

How? The machine can’t do more, it’s already running at 1500 RPM.

So how can you make more then? Unless we work two shifts.

The gears are failing already.

There is no advancement here.

You work here for years and you’ll die on that team.

But progress depends on...

Maybe on some new machines. Some sort of automated work.

The quota will be the same but the pay for personal performance will be higher.

Yeah, right.

It’s not about the personal performance numbers,

but for employee advancement after so many years work.

Maybe he could try for 6th tier or 10th tier for example, right?

The tiers get paid for daily output still. But not piecework.

If the pay rate is wrong, our duty is to fix that.

But if it’s all wrong...

I’d like to talk about one more matter.

The quotas are too high for us. Every time they come around,

they raise our quota.

In the end it turns out that | work a full 8 hours for 36 zloty.

Tell us how we are to survive on that money.

And how can we run a household for this kind of money?

We are upset with the supervisor, he isn’t at fault here either.

The efficiency guy comes around and whenever he sees

some new element, whaml. New quota. A high one.

We’re slaving away here, always in a hurry, and finally,

due to all this, there is waste generated.

Because it’s not about quality anymore, only quantity.

And we destroy the material because it’s going so fast.

Faster, faster, we push each other and it turns out we make a lot,

but part of it has to be scrapped.

Mrs. Piechucka, I will explain everything.

What you’re saying, what you’re saying is only partially true.

Fine, ask all the ladies...

But when you were speaking, I did not interrupt you.

And nobody said that you can’t make more money.

And please tell me, are there instances when an employee earns that 2500-3000 zloty,

does anyone lower their quota?

Go ahead, tell me. Were there? Are there?

- There were such instances! - Exactly.

- And when were they? - Before the December troubles.

Now we have a new period.

New period, but we don’t know what will happen in this period.

Until now, it hasn’t happened and probably won’t that

when you earn that 3000 zloty...

Because when you make 2800 or 3200 the quota guy would come and cut it in half.

- That’s different. - And everyone is afraid so they don’t work.

That did take place. But that’s not happening now.

What about the storage of these casts?

As we know, when they get off the transport, they look like this.

Clean feet, no corrosion on them at all. Nothing.

They get unloaded and stored uncovered outside,

it rains, it snows, winter and all that,

and then, the feet look like this here.

It takes a lot of work to get that off, twice as much at least.

But the price, unfortunately, is the same.

Nobody can change that. It’s not asking for much.

Not any financial investment.

It’s about a simple cover for them. So the rain and snow don’t fall on them.

Then it won’t be as rusted as this.

And for twice the labour, we get the same money.

They go to the acid bath anyway.

It has to go to the acid, and the labour is still the same.

And that, what kind of savings would that be?

HANDS

HEADS

l have this little device here

so it can get here from the press,

- It’s a little heavy. - What?

A bit on the heavy side.

Well, it is heavy, so what?

So you can get this...

Now I can’t get it out.

Let’s see what happened here. Let’s try to...

No, no, from this side. You can get it from this side.

I got it. It’s coming out. Slowly.

It got dirty. A little.

Some shavings got in there.

So, this will make your work a lot easier, right?

We could send it to layout...

They’re overloaded fight now.

You can’t remove this screw.

I can take it out, and this will hold it up.

It won’t hold it.

They took this apartjust punching it out. Cost me a day.

Just removing the pump.

There is no other way.

It’s a possibility, the pump can get damaged. And be off.

Well, of course it can get damaged.

And now to take it off, to improve this?

Make it easier and faster?

Twelve minutes per piece?

So we need 10 pieces.

Yes, ten pieces.

So, per motor, we have 120 minutes or two hours.

It would take two hours. Per motor.

With this production, it’s worth it.

COUNTY

"PLANT COMMUNITY CENTER"

Now?

And now this song will come on.

“In the mountains and valleys, you all know it well,

that our plant is famous around the world."

And now we sing...

I’m trying to say it...

Come on, three times now.

“In the mountains and valleys, you all know it well,

"WE WELCOME THE 6TH PARTY CONGRESS WITH DEEDS"

that our plant is famous around the world.

that our plant is famous around the world."

Though we make shoes, we wear moccasins,

and above all, we highlanders love the Tatras.

“Though we make shoes, we wear moccasins"

PLANT COUNCIL

Beniek, l have a letter for him in the red file.

That guard who they once, you know...

And he asked the chairman to take care of it.

Take care of it, right.

But I’d want, in such a matter

l have to have it in black and white or people will come to me and complain

that here, I gave him this and they have employees who won’t get it.

If you need to add something there then...

The chairman said you can add to it.

Come in, come in.

So, what was I saying...

It’s that plot after Wojciechowicz.

He got a plot at housing development 3.

He found out that...

Usually until 4 or5 PM.

And after that all the shops are closed,

ln Wodzislawie itself?

Yes, in Wodzislawie. The deli is open, but the other...

The operator got run over and that’s it.

The train ran him over.

And when is the funeral?

We’re not sure, maybe Thursday. That’s what they said in the hospital.

Maybe sooner, but we don’t know.

Which hospital is he in?

- Wodzislawie. - In Wodzislawie, yes?

But she wants to take him home.

Of course, where do you live?

ln Turza. And what’s his name?

lwaczek, Hubert.

525, 526.

If he is an employee, he deserves the orchestra.

That was from GTT department?

Yes.

I’d need to know when the funeral will be.

Then we can get the orchestra ready.

So tomorrow we’ll. ..

Let me know somehow tomorrow please.

Yes, I will.

You don’t need to personally, you have enough on your hands,

it can be someone from the family to let us know here.

And at what time. In Turza but when and what time.

And we’ll take care of everything.

It’s blue and has the Miners Union written on it.

Have a seat here.

Has this been going on a long time?

Exactly speaking, sort of since April is when it started.

Since April...

Listen there is this thing, they are accusing you

of not exactly working very well, that you don’t want to work,

that you are sluggish and so on.

Exactly, this is my first job in a mine.

- First time I went below was on March 4th. - Yes.

- Yes... - training period, you know, the 25 day training.

After training you went directly below. What department?

I had training on 6-15. And I went to 6-12 on the first directly.

Right after finishing training. I only had a month on the job.

No experience, and besides, there were not enough authorized people.

Either for the loaders or lifters.

I didn’t know about these things...

You always have to find common ground.

I think the plant council is there to defend the employee and offer support.

All problems should be dealt with by the plant council.

And not that everything is under the control of the director

or actually, the administration. They have a hold on everything.

And that’s why the plant council is powerless in some things, really.

Why? Because the plant council is financially tied to the administration.

What happened to the previous supervisor of the council?

So they should...

Why isn’t he here? Tell me.

He wanted to have it his way.

So they said watch it, we’re going to make you come around.

And they did.

And where was the collective? Where was the active?

- And everyone would suffer the same fate. - Yes.

So the general conclusion here is what? That we have diddly to say here.

That we are only supposed to work and to get yelled at.

And nothing else. And it will be bad so long

as the workers don’t have an active say about the management of the plant,

about making plans,realistic possibilities for these plans,

and as long as these plans aren’t generated from the bottom up.

“OUR AMBITION — FIRST PLACE"

PLANT CONFERENCE

Party organizations in accordance with the delegates,

have recommended that the following comrades be added to the list of candidates:

First, the first secretary of the plant committee of our Party

member of the KW executive, comrade Bogdan Sejn.

Second, comrade Wrozenski, Aleksander, toolmaker and ship engine factory fitter,

Comrade Zielinski, Stanislaw, from the locomotive and railcar factory,

Comrades, do you have comments or other recommendations?

As far as the candidature of comrade Zielinski,

at the meeting with the delegates, we also made this recommendation,

and this candidature was accepted unanimously,

recognizing Zielinski’s service both professionally and socially

that he is definitely authorized to represent our plant

as a delegate at the 6th congress.

So I am to understand that after consultation, the recommendation is valid.

Thank you very much, other comments?

This is not only my opinion but after consulting the secretaries,

comrade Szajna is recommended by all units at Cegielski to be a delegate

at the 6th congress of our Party.

There are no objections to any of the three candidatures proposed.

The comrades in the commission are unanimous.

Thank you very much.

- Maybe I could... - Go ahead.

Representing the service departments, at the meeting

of the delegates of our service departments,

we also talked about the candidatures for the 6th congress of our Party.

As far as the candidature of comrade first secretary of the plant committee,

comrade Szajna, it was supported completely.

In light of his experience like the comrade said before,

like years in the youth corps, and we think as service departments

that he fully deserves to be the delegate to the 6th congress.

Regardless, on the voting list, there should be four comrades

as per the voting instruction of the Central Committee,

you will fill in the fourth candidate’s name.

Is there any other comment or recommendation in this matter?

I see none. Is there a need to vote? Comrades?

I think the commission’s position is clear so for fonnality’s sake...

Who is for?

Thank you, I see that the recommendations have been approved unanimously.

I hereby close the commission’s meeting today. Thank you.

We can’t smoke in the council chamber so we can do it here,

we still have some time, since the lecture will take about an hour.

I observed the life of fish to see if they could talk.

And could they?

No, their mouths are full of water.

Thank you very much.

What?

Who doesn’t have a sheet still?

I gave out 150, where are they all?

The first and second tables, please take your turn to vote.

Votes go into the box on the right.

Tables three and fourwill place their votes in the box on the left.

So, please, by rows and to the middle.

So that it goes quickly.

Yes, since ’48.

To what party?

Doesn’t matter to what party. It’s specified here.

What organization? Put down ZWM or ZMP.

- Since when? - Since 1948.

Right here.

Put down the association.

These are counted.

Let’s stack these here.

One, two...

Should be twenty. We divide them.

4,5,6]. ..

One of the foremen comes to me yesterday and says

that we accepted the commitment and it looks like someone

is making it difficult for us to fulfil it.

They went to the supervisor of that construction company

and he lent them 4 bottles of oxygen.

So they could work, but that’s a drop in the bucket.

78, 88, 95, 105,

112,122...126...

Wisniewski... is second and Fajfer is third. It’s all good now.

- Why don’t you stay? - I’m just wrapping up now.

Ijust have to make a copy.

And the sheet is...there.

Two or three?

But put the name here.

- I have to first enter it in here. - So you haven’t totalled it yet?

No. Well it is totalled but you know... I’ll be done soon.

Fine.

In a moment.

Well, it’s this way, you are well prepared, that’s important.

On such a team? With the lovely comrade in charge here?

For now, thank you kindly.

Thank you also.

Report of the commission, voting results for delegates

to the 6th congress of the Party.

Filipiak, Wlodzimierz received 40 votes.

Sejna, Bogdan received 140 votes.

Wyrozebski, Aleksander — 118.

Zielinski, Stanislaw — 132.

The commission states that the delegates elected to the 6th

congress of the Polish United Workers’ Party are comrades:

Sejna, Bogdan; Wyrozebski, Aleksander and Zielinski, Stanislaw

Stand up, damned of the Earth Stand up, prisoners of starvation

Reason thunders in its volcano This is the eruption of the end.

CONVERSATION

It should be guaranteed in the constitution or in whatever else,

That nobody has the fight to issue the order to shoot workers,

This is a country of workers and farmers, you know.

What gave them the fight to give the order to shoot at people?

What fight, gentlemen, what fight?

Not everything reaches the top from us down here.

That’s exactly what I mean.

Go back in history, man. There was always a fluctuating market.

When stocks were going up and then they would fall.

Like in 1956.

People who got used to their...

- Just a minute... - We trusted in that completely.

But it’s all spread out in time, fight? Over time.

First a surge up, and then it slowly, slowly falls

There wouldn’t be such sefious conflicts if this Party

would stay in touch somehow with the working class.

But when the worker is not permitted to open his mouth,

then it will never get better.

That’s exactly it.

The worker has to be able to voice his opinion too.

As far as work, all of us will try our best to work as well as we can,

But I think we will also do everything so that we are not cheated

and lied to like it has been so far.

It’s most important that we get something out of it for the future.

So there isn’t another December.

It’s logical, you can’t squeeze blood out of rock.

You can take hardship for a year, if you see that it’s getting better

step by step. Even two years.

If the improvement is systematic and growing then you’ll tighten

your belt and you’ll work hard and everything will be fine.

But we have to see the will to really improve and action.

It’s also important to keep it up, and not let people play with it.

Pour honey on it and pretend all is well.

And that they don’t mess with the social stuff constantly, right?

Exactly, that’s it.

And keep talking about all kinds of lofty things in management

and politics and such, but make it secondary to what’s really important.

These things matter, but it’s just as important to decide exactly

how to manage our resources, who will do it, and those people

who are put in those positions, so that they feel like owners.

And if they’re not, they don’t take responsibility, remove them.

And if they all think that they will not get any punishment for this,

then we’ll continue to have lots of those managers who...

You know, Gierek also...

No, maybe he won’t but...

How Gierek got started we know very well.

He had very few followers, the only support he got

was from the working class, from us.

Well, of course, but there is one thing, let him keep the course,

let it be honest still, honest with the worker and not some secret,

everything happening in secret, their actions are hidden.

Because we want to know, we want to participate

in this political life too, just the same as in the social life.

There was this saying once:

Nothing about us, without us Nothing about us, without us

We are a country of workers...

That’s one thing, and another, is that I don’t believe

that it has to be a rule that the plant manager

or department director or supervisor has to also be a member of the Party.

No, absolutely not, it can’t be like that.

If the man is qualified and meets the requirements, and so on,

No, I think that this direction is happening now, Gierek says...

People with lower qualifications but they’re members of the Party.

These differences should start disappeafing.

They have to give a chance to talented, active people.

Those who are competent and want to work.

The ones who actually work.

They’ve been saying this

since the December incidents, that we are the ruling class.

And we are the managers of our area and nobody else.

Whether on the regional level or nationwide.

And these people are finally starting to feel this way.

They are, and they want something tangible to do and something to say as well.

People have learned one thing, besides just seeing

what’s on their own plate, they are looking out farther now.

Yes, for sure.

It’sjust that...

Now we have to take advantage of it in the right manner, right?

And not to fail these people.

When you disappoint them once, twice, three times, then in the end

you can’t count on only making promises constantly, no way.

INTERNATIONALE

Dear comrades, the election commission has determined

the candidate for the congress and it was decided to present to the conference,

comrade Bartoszewicz.

Comrade Ryszard Bartoszewicz works in department W-1,

the wood department, he is a carpenter.

I present comrade Dopierala. Comrade Dopierala

has worked here a number of years, was first secretary a few times,

And I think the clapping here means that we would like

comrade Dopierala to be the delegate to the 6th congress of our Party.

Also, I propose that he be the delegate to the district conference.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, do any comrades have comments

to what comrade Pawlak has proposed here?

And I want to also underscore that comrades putting forth

propositions, should indicate for which position they are.

Does comrade Dopierala agree to be a candidate?

That’s important.

Please answer.

Comrades, this is how I feel, the 6th Party congress is coming.

The Party congress simply must declare its position regarding

policy conducted, give a new direction, and my feeling is that the plant

should be represented at the congress by the comrade

who is directly on the front line and is in direct contact with production.

I feel that the secretary of the organization ought to be with

the Party organization because there will be lots of political work,

the anniversary of the December incidents is approaching,

and as the political supervisor here at the shipyard,

I would see myself here at the plant dufing those days.

That is why I would like to ask that I be crossed off the candidate list.

This was done according to the statue requirement, of course.

A proposal was entered, and since only two are needed.

We will now move to the proposal of the election commission,

comrade Bartosiewicz.

So that he can state whether he wishes

to participate in the congress and represent the shipyard.

Comrades, my candidacy was discussed at the plenum of the plant committee.

And at the meeting with the secretaries I did not know

whether I could manage such a matter. But at the plenum,

most of the comrades said that they see me as the candidate.

And that I will manage. I think that I will not fall that trust.

And I will try to the best of my abilities to fulfil these requirements set out at this time.

And I have another proposal. In accordance with the statute

and with the new instruction, I would also like to have a peer partner.

And since I am a worker, I feel that the first secretary is above me,

Therefore, I will withdraw my candidacy.

Comrade Michalak, keep calm please.

I’d like to speak.

Comrade Michalak, Pawlak, excuse me.

Let me say something comrades. Regarding the statement of the

candidatejust now, that’s irresponsible comrades.

As a member of the Party, so what, the secretary is not your equal?

He is a member of the Party, the same as you are.

And that he has the position of first secretary, so what?

Is he above you somehow? This is wrong. “I withdraw" - it’s irresponsible.

Thank you very much, the comrades will speak by voting.

I propose a vote on the first candidacy of comrade Bartosiewicz

as proposed by the election commission.

Who is for placement on the election list?

We vote by mandate.

Thank you very much.

Who abstained?

Have to count, 5,67,89,10...

With 10 abstaining, but also who is against?

And with one against, the candidacy of comrade Bartosiewicz

is placed on the election list by a majofity of votes.

The next candidacy of comrade...

Comrade Linowski.

It seems to me, my dear comrades that we are making mistakes here.

Perhaps they may not be so important but it seems to me that many comrades,

not knowing comrade Bartosiewicz, would have some questions.

But if we agree to everything, then we just need to vote.

Personally, I don’t know comrade Bartosiewicz from his social activity.

I don’t know how long he’s worked at the shipyard,

there was a question about how many years he’s worked in the shipyard,

this is something that ought to be said too.

So that in the end, I can know the person I will be voting for.

I’d like to answer some questions, please ask, I’m here.

As far as the shipyard, I’ve been here since 1960,

since October 28th precisely, in eight days I will have

11 years work at the shipyard.

Thank you, comrade Bartowski.

I have a specific question for candidates presented.

Answer yes or no.

Do you want to represent us or not?

Specifically, yes or no.

Don’t skirt around the issue, don’t talk, just tell us yes or no.

One candidate and the other. Decidedly.

Please remove me from the list.

Comrades, any comment on this matter?

Comrade Pawlak.

You can’t put it this way: yes or no. If we choose a comrade,

this is an honour, to be the delegate on the 6th congress.

I think this is the highest award for activity that member of the Party

could ever get to be the representative at a forum such as the congress.

And I think he ought to be put on the list.

Comrade Linowski.

I, comrade Dopierala, as an old activist, we know each other anyway, fight?

I think that your statement was out of order.

Just because comrade Lazowski spoke badly or something,

let’s just say that maybe comrade Lazowski hasn’t evolved yet

to speak in such a way so we could understand him,

If we are giving mandate to comrade Dopierala

then I don’t think we will discuss it.

And Dopierala cannot tell us that because Lazowski misspoke,

then I resign from my mandate.

Not true, comrade Dopierala. You have to say that what was said

at the introduction, that when you are gone, we’ll roll up our sleeves

and defend what you managed to get for us.

You understand? And here there should not be any excuses.

It should be like this: Why doesn’t he want to?

Because I’m shy or whatever. I remember that you,

comrade Dopierala came from production, you were active there,

you were the secretary and lthink you should still be.

I support the candidacy of comrade Dopierala for the delegate

to the congress of our Party.

We have to send comrade Dopierala to Warsaw, comrades.

Because this is the comrade that will represent us well.

Comrade Dopierala, yes or no.

Yes.

Quickly, one, hand it over.

It’s well folded.

Matters of a political and organizational nature.

Sanction the existence of the workers self-government.

In the project of the new constitution which I hope we will be discussing.

Our statute has to be finalized at the 6th congress.

It must pertain to everybody. From the top down

and in the opposite direction. It cannot remain as it was until now.

Introduce a rule for bfinging Party members to account by the Party

organization to which they belong, independent of sanctions

which will result in the unit in which the interested individual is working.

It ought to be explicitly require and consistently demand from regional government

the implementation of social

and economic renewal which in our opinion is too slowly conducted in the countryside.

The majority of members were critical of the methods

and format of Party training programme.

That it is outdated and uninteresting and is not needed in our times.

We are of the opinion that the work week should be shortened,

which will ensure better regeneration of the workforce.

Of course, this has to coincide with the development

of the cultural/recreational infrastructure.

To validate the unreasonable rules for entering higher education,

in which it is unacceptable for us to use one’s social ofigin as placement factor,

rather than their talents, competencies or knowledge.

In general, to redesign the remuneration structure

and the pay system, in a manner that would guarantee the support

of a family by one family member working, which will enable wives

to raise children and run the household.

To extend maternity leave for working mothers to one year

Now hear this:

The candidates for delegate to the 6th party congress received:

comrade Bartosiewicz, Ryszard — 51 votes, comrade Dopierala Mieczyslaw — 94 votes.

Comrade Dopierala, Mieczyslaw has been elected.

Stand up, damned of the Earth

Stand up, prisoners of starvation

Reason thunders in its volcano

This is the eruption of the end.

Of the past let us make a clean slate

Enslaved masses, stand up, stand up.

The world is about to change its foundation

We are nothing, let us be all.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

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translation: Piotr Strzelecki