WHO RUNS THE NSZZ SOLIDARNOSC?

The national Union authorities are:

1. the National Congress of Delegates;
2. the National Commission;
3. the National Audit Commission;

The term of office shall last 4 years.

The National Congress of Delegates. The regular Congress is convened by the National Commission at least once a year. An extraordinary Congress is called by the National Commission within 3 months, if at least 1/3 of the regional boards, 1/5 of the delegates of the National Congress or the National Audit Commission makes such a motion. If the National Commission fails to do so within this period of time, the Congress shall be called by the National Audit Commission.

Regional delegates elected at Regional Conventions participate in the Congress. The electoral procedure and the number of regional delegates are determined by the National Commission in proportion to the membership in particular regions.

The Congress ratifies resolutions by simple majority vote. All amendments to the Constitution and resolutions require an absolute majority vote of eligible delegates.

Resolutions are adopted by an open vote. Upon the request of at least 1/10 of delegates present, the Chair of the Congress shall introduce voting by secret ballot.

The National Congress has authority to:

1. adopt amendments to the Constitution;
2. adopt the general program of Union activities;
3. set of the amount of membership dues;
4. adopt binding resolutions for all Union structures, except those resolutions which were reserved in the Constitution for other Union authorities, and introduce all statements on behalf of the Union;
5. elect the president of the National Commission
6. elect the members of the National Commission according to the provisions in § 19 section 5 and elect the members of the National Audit Commission;
7. examine the reports of the National Commission and the National Audit Commission and grant the vote of acceptance to the National Commission for its previous activity;
8. confer honorary Union membership.

The National Commission is the highest legislative and policy making body in relation to the regional boards, national councils of the branch secretariats and branch sections.

The National Commission is composed of:

1. the president of the National Commission;
2. the chairpersons of the regional boards;
3. the chairpersons of the national branch secretariats;
4. the delegates elected by the National Congress.

The National Commission is authorised to carry out the following activities:

1. representation of the Union before the central government, state and economic administrative bodies and other organisations and institutions;
2. co-ordination of the activities and the passing of binding agreements for all organisational structures of the Union;
3. approval of the budget;
4. registration of the national branch structures;
5. conclusion of collective agreements with the possibility to grant some of its authorities to other union structures;
6. taking decisions to enter into labour disputes and conduct strikes, which include the area of more than one region;
7. election of the members of the Presidium.

The Presidium (national executive body) is composed of: the president, vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and other National Commission members, whose number is set by the National Commission.

The president represents the National Commission and directs its and the Presidium activities. He/she is obligated to supervise and ensure that the members of the National Commission and Presidium carry out their duties. According to the Labour Code, the president is the supervisor of the staff employed by the National Commission.

The Presidium has the authority to:

1. manage the daily activity of the Union in accordance with the resolutions ratified by the Congress, and the National Commission's directives;
2. conduct legal affairs by at least two persons, appointed from among the members of the Presidium;
3. take financial decisions in accordance with the resolutions of the National Commission.

- supervises the financial activities of the National Commission and Presidium, and monitors the compatibly of their activities with the Constitution and resolutions of the National Congress of Delegates.

- is authorised to order any audit commission of union to undertake respective supervisory activities falling within its competency, and provide information and clarification.

- is authorised to supervise all Union structures, upon the approval of the National Commission as it supervises the National Commission.

- may also create a special mediatory group to examine internal union conflicts.

- has the right, following the issuing of a written warning, to put forward a motion to the National Commission to remove a regional organisation, which fails to pay membership dues within three-month period, from the national register of regional organisations.