Labor Movement: Sides of Social Activity (1989-1991)

Abstract

In the last decade to strikes the bureaucratization of public life, an inefficiency of social programs, and violation of a principle of social justice deformed also morals towards development of its egalitarian and authoritative aspects. The moral sphere appeared one of the most started. Such values as a collectivism, pride of the work, respect for the working person, etc. lost the former value. On this background negative economic and political process in society caused indignations of miners. Mistrust of miners to official structures of the power, beginning from administration and finishing the government of the USSR, not to mention local and branch authorities, became the important reason. As a result miner’s strikes of 1989-1991 showed force of working class which in a situation of aggravated contradictions managed to be mobilized and self-organize quickly. This powerful positive potential of labor movement could become a support and hope of young Soviet democracy of the period of reorganization and the subsequent development of Russia. But its great opportunities weren’t demanded.