Led by electrician Lech Walesa, the workers along the Baltic coast in Poland joined the revolution demanding labor reform and greater civil rights including the freedom of expression and religion, and the release of political prisoners. With his electrifying personality, quick wit and gift of the gab, Walesa was soon leading it. He moved his fellow workers away from mere wage claims and toward a central, daringly political demand: free trade unions.”

Due to the popular support of the citizens and other striking groups, the Gdansk workers held out until the government gave in to their demands. The successful strikers formed the Gdansk Agreement on August 31, 1980 as an authentic social contract with the government. This allowed citizens to bring democratic changes within the communist political structure. The main concern of the workers was the establishment of a trade union independent of communist party control and the legal right to strike. In creating these new groups, there would be a clear representation of the workers needs.