ABSTRACT
The greater role of an independent workers' movement becomes understandable in the light of the general tendencies at the stage of perestroika. The coalminers' movement along with those laborers who joined them, represents the most vivid and characteristic example of a free, independent workers' movement in contemporary Soviet society. The arising independent social movements and part of the press moved to independent political action on behalf of broadening democracy. The world over, an independent labor movement is a most important factor assuring the optimization of the basic socio-economic proportions. The labor movement will have the greatest social effect if it clearly and distinctly articulates the social needs and interests it represents. The majority of workers, while remaining convinced of the right of the state to make basic decisions, changed their position from benign indifference to a distinct sympathy for the ideas and symbols of perestroika.
