# Strikes of 1988 (1988)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1988-strikes-of-1988
Location: Poland

Waves of strikes in spring and August 1988 forced the authorities to open talks with the opposition led by Lech Wałęsa. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (1988), the governing authority was Wojciech Jaruzelski (First Secretary of the PZPR; Chairman of the Council of State; President of Poland). General who imposed martial law in 1981 and later negotiated the transition; President 1989–1990. Strikes of 1988 mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Strikes of 1988 mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society.

Ruler at the time: [Kazimierz Sabbat](https://poland-history.com/rulers/kazimierz-sabbat)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 1988 Polish strikes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Polish_strikes)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Strikes of 1988](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Strikes+of+1988)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)