Czechoslovakia: Consolidation in the Trade Unions

A file of correspondence and reports concerning trade unions in Czechoslovakia. The documents cover the change of government leadership from Alexander Dubček to Gustáv Husák, and the ensuing impact on unions, including a purge of leading members and the re-evaluation of resolutions issued under the Dubček regime. Other documents in the file cover the Seventh All-Union Congress of Czechoslovak Trades Unions, with discussions on the political role of unions, the economy, enterprise councils, and the right to strike; and the Fourth Plenum of the Central Trades Union Council, which sought to underline the correct implementation of democratic centralism in trade unions. The file also covers speeches delivered at trade union events by leading Czechoslovak politicians; a proposed exchange of trade union delegations between Britain and Czechoslovakia; and a party offensive against the Metal Workers Union, which led to the resignation of the union leader, Vlastmil Toman.