Fighting for the Factory Floor
Fighting for the Factory Floor
This chapter scrutinises violence between workers during strikes. Confrontations occurred not only at the factory gates, as strikers attempted to obstruct workers, but also in the streets that led to the workplace. Political groups often became involved in industrial disputes. Left-wingers sought to extend the strike beyond the workplace through demonstrations, meetings, and marches. Right-wingers sought to ensure the freedom to work, fearful that factory occupations would precede communist revolution. Strikes provided an important opportunity for female political activism. Women strikers stood on picket lines, forcing back strike-breakers and often taking part in punishment attacks of blackleg labour. The factory, mine, and construction yard thus became important sites in the violent political confrontations in interwar France.
Keywords: strike, women, industrial disputes
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