The World - News from May 15, 1988

Scientists, educators and other intellectuals formed Communist Hungary’s first new trade union in 40 years. But it was not known whether the Democratic Union of Scientific Workers would be independent of the government-approved union structure, said a participant who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said the new group could not be compared to Poland’s outlawed Solidarity trade union movement “because it is a nonpolitical organization.” The participant said about 400 people attended the founding session in Budapest and elected a 59-member steering committee. Spokesmen said it would fight to improve members’ working conditions, increase funds for research and reduce layoffs.