Monthly Archives: August 2016

Tract – “Communique” (8 June 1968)

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in FEN, Teachers/faculty, Tract, Uncategorized

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COMMUNIQUE

The leaders of the F.E.N. have announced a rally to explain the lifting of the order for a general strike of teachers, to be held this Saturday at 5PM at the Labour Exchange.

1,500 teachers responding to the call found these leaders to be absent.

Recognising this failure, they went to the headquarters of their Federation, 10 rue de Solferino. After discussion they decided to occupy the headquarters. 

THEY have designated a PROVISIONAL STRIKE COMMITTEE which sits permanently, at 10 rue de Solferino.

They decided to publish the following call.

—–

CALL TO ALL TEACHERS

The F.E.N. activists, all of them teachers, cannot accept the return to work, leaving their comrades in secondary and higher education, their fellow students, their comrade Steelworkers, dockworkers, ORTF… isolated.

THE SCHOOLS AND TOWNS ARE STILL ON STRIKE.

We will not leave sections of the working class to fight alone while our fundamental common claims have not been met.

VICTORY FOR ALL IS 
   STILL POSSIBLE

On Monday the F.E.N. must call a general strike, with the support of A.P.E. which should continue until the complete satisfaction of our demands.
– REPEAL OF ORDINANCES
– TERMINATION OF THE FOUCHET PLAN
– TERMINATION OF THE PLAN Ve
REPEAL OF THE ANTI-SECULAR LAWS
THE NATIONALISATION OF EDUCATION

This strike must integrate into the overall fight, FEN MUST IMMEDIATELY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE UNIONS AND WORKERS.

For the cause of the GENERAL STRIKE
the formation of STRIKE COMMITTEES
elected at all levels

We demand that F.E.N. call for the assembly of all the teachers of Paris in a  
CENTRAL RALLY
 3 rue du Château d’eau (Metro Republic)

ALL TEACHERS TO THE RALLY
AT THE LABOR EXCHANGE
Monday, June 10 at 6PM

For the 1,500 teachers gathered at the Exchange.
The Interim Strike Committee
9:30 p.m., June 8 1968

Tract – “10 000 000 on Strike For Nothing? (June 1968 – Comité d’initiative et de Coordination pour un Mouvement Revolutionnaire)

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Comité d'Initiative Pour un Mouvement Révolutionnaire, Tract, Uncategorized

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10 000 000 PEOPLE ON STRIKE FOR NOTHING?

 Ten million workers have been on strike for more than fifteen days. Never before in France have so many workers fought for so long in solidarity. Neither has the working class felt such support in the country. From the students who have called for the fight to the peasants, every active force denounces the regime.

Workers, what do we want?

– the fall of the Gaullist regime, that upholds a consumer society from which we are excluded.
This fall must occur to enable the social justice which is necessary:
– a GENERAL INCREASE IN SALARIES,
– the MANDATORY INTRODUCTION OF SLIDING SCALES in collective agreements, which are the only way to guarantee the results achieved in the struggle,
– The AFFIRMATION OF UNION FREEDOMS within the enterprise,
– the REPEAL OF ORDERS which are destructive to Social Security.

Why return to Work today?

 – to rescue a régime that no longer rests on the commitment of the bourgeoisie, an order that is unable to be re-established without our help?

What are we offered in exchange?

 – a salary increase of less than 10%.

 There is no question of sliding scales. This means that prices will rise so that what is given to one hand is taken from the other. Purchasing power will remain unchanged.

 Moreover, we know that we will pay for this increase by increased rates of production, that we will suffer the merger of companies for better profitability.

 For us workers, EXTRA WORK or UNEMPLOYMENT.

Where are:
 – the 40-hour week?
 – immediate payment of wages for TIME ON STRIKE?
 – freedom of association?
 – the repeal of anti-social orders?

   THERE IS NO MORE QUESTION.

 It is less likely than ever that our claims will be met under the current regime.

—–

 How can we place hope in elections organized to save the regime, and that put aside the millions of young workers and students, along with millions of foreign workers?

 80 years of trade unionism have taught us that workers can only rely on themselves.

 Anything is possible when we remain united in solidarity. We must demiss the maneuvers which aim to DIVIDE us.

 NO INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS

 NO PARTIAL RETURNS TO WORK

 Workers, the occupation of the workplaces, the general strike, will allow us to achieve victory now.

 FOR: – IMMEDIATE PAYMENT of wages for time on

 FOR: – FULL and REAL SATISFACTION of all our claims,

C O N T I N U E T H E S T R U G G L E

 To continue the strike, we must organize :

 – To secure ourselves the necessary supplies and price controls
 – To create a federation of our Strike and Action Committees.

Committee for the Initiation and 
Coordination for a 
REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT

For more information contact : 22, rue Etienne Marcel
     PARIS 2nd – tel. CEN 21-51.

Tract – “Faculty of Medicine” (7 June 1968 – Faculty of Medicine)

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Fac Medicine, June 3-9 1968, Tract, Uncategorized

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FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Medical students no longer want a news service controlled by the Police.

 This Friday, throughout France, the Action Committees are organising rallies to support the 13,000 Workers of the ORTF that the Government would like to keep quiet; as well as to explain the political dimension of their struggle.  

 A rally for the Faculty has been organised for 6pm in LECTURE ROOM BINET, followed by a discussion. 

 The fighting, which has gone on since May 3, has shown that it’s in the streets, in the lecture rooms, through the occupation of workplaces, that the State can be made to retreat.

 Everywhere, the struggle can lead to a definitive Victory.

 Let’s find new ways to cut down Gaullism and to prepare the Workers’ victory. 

EVERYONE COME TO LECTURE ROOM BINET, FRIDAY 7TH AT 6PM.

 E V E R Y O N E  C O M E   TO   L E C T U R E   R O O M   B I N E T
 F R I D A Y   7   J U N E   A T   6 P M

Tract – “To the People of CAEN and of the Region” (around 30 May 1968 – CDR)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in CDR, Comites pour la Defense de la Republique, Gaullist, May 27-June 2 1968, Tract, Uncategorized

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To the People of CAEN
and of the Region

 A Defence Committee of the Republic has just been established in CAEN.

 It appeals to the deep feeling of the people who yearn for a return to tranquility and hope for a resumption of normalcy.

 It invites all men and all women who wish to agree to respect the freedom of everyone, to gather at Place Saint-Pierre in CAEN, on THURSDAY 30 MAY at 3pm, for a peaceful demonstration. 

Tract – “Students… Workers All United in the Struggle!…” (24 May 1968 – CNT)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in CNT, May 20-26 1968, Tract, Uncategorized, Union

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A.I.T. NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF WORKERS 39 Rue de la TOUR D’AUVERGNE – PARIS 19th

S T U D E N T S . . . W O R K E R S
            ALL UNITED IN THE STRUGGLE! . . . 

 The censure motion has been rejected… One more time politicians have given the proof of their powerlessness. It’s therefore the working class, closely united with the students, that has to take responsibility for settling social problems.

 It could well be said to us that workers’ management or self-management are hollow catchphrases, the press happily declares that “Cohn-Bendit doesn’t know”; but we are convinced that the current situation demands a radical transformation of society.

 ALONG WITH THE STUDENTS the entire working class must create a united front and continue the protest… against the Police State and sclerosis of capitalist society.

 WITH THE STUDENTS…
 … for a new society which encourages the flourishing of the intellectual abilities of all young people without distinction…
 … A society that offers everyone a rational share in the production the distribution of consumer goods; having as a principle: TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS, FROM EACH ACCORDING TO HIS MEANS
 … A society that takes into account the requirements of the old, it’s past workers who today no longer have the minimum which is vital to reach the end their lives with dignity
 … Finally, a society that respects the dignity and the character of the individual, that could enable the raising of consciousness

 All of this doesn’t rule out, for the time being the struggle for the repeal of all unlawful laws: The rule of the SS – restrictions on union freedoms, violations of the right to strike…

 We must never cease to condemn all violations of the rights of workers, the omnipotence of corporations, the contradictions of capitalism and its powerlessness to meet the needs of the population.

 More than ever, we have to fight against easy solutions that involve pursuing dialogue with a State that doesn’t listen, and doesn’t hesitate to use violence and repression.

 The news reports give us motive, neither mini-strikes nor petitions to elected representatives have brought remedies to the people’s malaise. The C.N.T. Has been in solidarity with the students from the start.

 In direct action, in the unlimited general strike, in this popular desire, this passion to create a better society, more just and humane, WE REMAIN UNITED RIGHT TO THE END!

       Paris, 24 May 1968
      Confederated Committee of the C.N.T.

Tract – “Declaration of Lucien Neuwirth” (30 May 1968 – Comités d’Action Civique)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Comités d'Action Civique, Gaullist, May 27-June 2 1968, Tract, Uncategorized

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DECLARATION
OF
LUCIEN NEUWIRTH

 Deprived of the means of expression, through the lack of newspapers, I wish to inform the population of St. Etienne of what appears to me to be of general interest.

 Already, the Paris Protocol has demonstrated that any discussion is possible, and that the only thing which can stop them are ulterior political motives that have nothing to do with the interests of the working class.

 Indeed, if it is agreed that legitimate claims have been satisfied, especially for the more disadvantaged, it cannot be neither understood nor accepted that the freedom to work is challenged by minorities when a majority has decided to return to work. Rather it is the denial of democracy.

 To persist with a negative attitude is to jeopardise the benefits that have already been realised, through inevitable inflation.

 Men and women of St. Etienne, in three weeks you will have to decide. Whatever your choice, whatever your camp, your duty is to participate in civil action, so that our factories are running, our children are in school, so that life is resumed in order to face up to upcoming, heavy economic commitments and demonstrate to all our desire to progress and develop through work.

Civil Action Committees
1 Place Dorian
Saint Etienne

May 30, 1968
LUCIEN NEUWIRTH

Tract – “Young Workers at the Heart of the Struggle” (22 May 1968 – Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in May 6-12 1968, Tract, Uncategorized

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J.O.C.F St-Etienne, 22 May 1968
ST. ETIENNE SOUTH
4, rue Mi-Carême

YOUNG WORKERS

—————————————————–
AT THE HEART OF THE STRUGGLE
—————————————————–

The Friends were out and about ….
What we saw, is Important ……

COME
Saturday, May 25 at 2pm sharp
Salle Saint-Etienne – 4, rue Mi-Carême
In the hall of the Bishopric Bookstore

In order, together, to see how, as Jocistes, we can live through these Events and to reflect as a group on how we can continue our Action. –

“The J.O.C. has always maintained that ONE YOUNG WORKER IS WORTH MORE THAN ALL THE GOLD IN THE WORLD – More than ever it is important to tell Society what we want.”

— A unique and tremendous way to help us:
A Young Worker/Alive – At the Heart of the Struggle –
   (You shall find the Federation)

In Friendship
The Federal Team

Tract – “National Office of the UNEF to the Trade Unions (early May 1968 – UNEF)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in May 6-12 1968, Tract, Uncategorized, UNEF

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NATIONAL OFFICE OF THE UNEF
TO THE TRADE UNIONS

  Dear Comrades,

  Since Friday, May 3 the police have occupied the Sorbonne (after locking-out Nanterre), something that hadn’t been seen since the odious regime of Petain.

  Since Friday, May 3, when the police savagely beat them, students have called on their union, UNEF, to defend their right to political and collective expression.

  Currently the government and the press are trying to isolate the student movement, which is why in the face of this offensive, which affects the entire labor movement, we appeal to you to publicly affirm solidarity with our actions, and ask you to consider an inter-union demonstration with us in defence of the right of political and collective expression and against police repression.

NATIONAL OFFICE 
OF THE UNEF

Tract – “After De Gaulle’s Speech (31 May 1968 – PCF)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in de Gaulle, May 27-June 2 1968, PCF, Tract, Uncategorized

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After De Gaulle’s Speech

DECLARATION OF THE
FRENCH COMMUNIST PARTY

With Workers on strike for their demands, with students and teachers in a struggle for a democratic University, with millions of the French people wanting a change of policy, de Gaulle responded with a veritable declaration of war.

 in his opposion to the workers, De Gaulle first takes on the Communist Party which has always defended the interests of the working class, inseparable from those of the nation.

 This attack against the Communist Party is designed to mask the wish of General de Gaulle to impose its own dictatorship. In reality, the working class and its organizations have shown remarkable composure; they have developed the fight for their claims and theit mass political struggle taking care to avoid any kind of provocation. This is true in both the factories, occupied by millions of strikers, and in the impressive street demonstrations organized by the C.G.T. and other unions, supported by the Communist Party.

 Scorning all workers, both blue- and white-collar, the head of State did not judge it worth saying a word about their claims.

 However, the first condition for settling the huge conflict caused by the harmful policies of a State at the service of corporations, is to uphold the legitimate demands of the workers. This is the unanimous demand of the unions. It is also that of the French Communist Party.

  De Gaulle announced his intention to call new elections. The French Communist Party has not been waiting for this speech to demand that the people be given their say as soon as possible.

 The Party will go to this compaign explaining its program of social progress and peace and it’s policy of the democratic unity of all forces. It now calls upon the millions of Frenchmen and Frenchwomen for their trust, to defeat the Gaullist government; and to establish a true democracy that serves the interests of workers.

 It calls on workers, to join strongly with the democratic forces, to develop their unity in the interests of the people and France.

The Political Bureau
of the French Communist Party
May 30, 1968.

Tract – “Comrades Workers and Students of France” (27 May 1968 – Tendance Marxiste-Révolutionnaire)

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in May 27-June 2 1968, Tract, Uncategorized

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(Translation – Fisera 81)

COMRADES WORKERS AND STUDENTS OF FRANCE

  An unprecedented revolutionary crisis has just broken out. It is not the result of a major economic crisis and was not started by the proletariat under a revolutionary leadership. 

  It is following its own path, which points to the continuation of revolutionary creation in the world and the particular courses that revolution will follow in advanced capitalist countries. It was students who launched the historic movement of May 1968 in France by starting out from the total rejection of “neo-capitalism” and by putting forward demands concerning the democratic control of the universities and education in general by students and teachers.

  Fearing that similar demands might reach the proletariat as well and that the irresistible movement of Workers Councils running the factories and businesses might spread like wildfire through the country, the Communist Party, the CGT and all the other traditional organizations who associate themselves with the working class rushed in to stem the tide of the movement and contain it within the framework of immediate wage demands. But the real meaning of the historical events that are presently shaking France is to be found in the undeniable fact that they objectively pose the question of the struggle for Workers Control and genuinely democratic socialism.

  There can be no question of sacrificing the pay claims, but they must be organically linked to the demand for workers control of the economy and the struggle for revolutionary and democratic workers power. There can be no question of separating the students and workers. They must be united in the same struggle for these objectives.

  The Socialist Revolution in France has just begun, in an unprecedented way. This is the essential fact to understand. Everything is now possible and depends entirely on the quick formation of a united revolutionary leadership capable of speaking with the authority of one voice to militants, to the masses and to the whole population, which is waiting for a precise plan of struggle and precise forms of organization, which will go beyond the obsolete framework of the institutions of capitalist society. Because there is not yet a united revolutionary organization, the provisional revolutionary leadership must be created in the form of a central Revolutionary Council, made up of representatives of all the political and trade-union organizations committed to the revolutionary struggle and open to all those who will follow this path.

  This Council will rely on the support of grass-roots Committees, which will act as real organs of power in their respective fields: factories, businesses, neighbourhoods, various services – everywhere. It is by these means that the struggle for Workers Power and Socialism will be carried on following the programme set out here:

– The socialization of the principal means of production, the banks, the monopolies, the big industrial, commercial and property-owning concerns, etc… and their democratic control by the workers.
– The democratic control of all education. housing, health, town planning and leisure services, etc., by the producers and consumers of these services.
-Encouragement for the creation of production co-operatives for small farmers with the powerful material, technical and scientihc aid of the workers state.
– The abolition of the traditional army and the police and their replacement by a democratic peoples militia.
– Immediate and unconditional independence for all territories under direct or indirect colonial rule.
– The breaking-off of all alliances with imperialism.
– Systematic propaganda for the creation of a Socialist and Democratic Europe united from East to West.
– Unconditional support for all revolutionary movements struggling for the national and social emancipation of their peoples.

Comrade students and workers of France! 
Aim high and far, aim at power. 
Take the immediate social organization of the country into your hands. 
Take control of everything involved with your working life. 
Run the factories, the universities, the social services yourselves. 
Substitute yourselves for the decaying capitalist state! 
Don’t let the strike and the struggle founder in paralysis.

  Your historic struggle is being followed, and soon there will be active sympathy from workers all over the world. Soon it will stir the whole of capitalist Europe and stimulate revolutionary struggle all over the world. 

Forward for Workers Power and Socialism. 
Forward for the Great Socialist French Revolution that will change the face of the world from the West to the East.

The International Leadership
of the Marxist-Revolutionary Tendancy
27 May 1968