Category Archives: Union

Tract – “One Common Fight” (11 May 1968 – CFDT)

11 Friday May 2018

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CFDT: One Common Fight

The extremely violent clashes, with blind and bloody repression from the government and a several hours’ long siege by the students, determined to win, are all signs of a deep malaise among the students, but also in the whole of our Society.

THE IMMEDIATE CAUSES:

–The attitude of the Government

• in arresting several hundred students at the Sorbonne on Friday, 3 May, although a number of similar meetings had been held previously under the same conditions without harming anyone;

• sending in the police with such brutality that the press largely reported on it;

• in refusing all “overtures”, rejecting every way of defusing the situation such as releasing the imprisoned students;

• the conviction of many student without any proof, under unacceptable conditions. These instant arrests and convictions are new tactics that were inaugurated in Caen against the workers on strike, and which the workers will be the victims of tomorrow.

Actually the large peaceful demonstration organised by the UNEF on Monday 7 May showed that students are perfectly able to keep order themselves provided that the police do not interfere.

THE DEEPER CAUSES:

– The ANXIETY of the STUDENTS FACED with their FUTURE.

The university, this enormous graduate-manufacturing machine, is becoming industrialised and now produces graduates without concerning itself with job opportunities for those who are being processed. For example, students who started Human Sciences courses a few years ago, are bitter today when they learn about the scarcity of possible future employment. Nobody has informed them about this state of affairs. Such examples are unfortunately quite common. The question these students are asking themselves – and we, as workers facing our own employment problems, should understand it well, is:

TOMORROW WILL WE BE UNEMPLOYED, OR UNDER-EMPLOYED,?

– THE REJECTION OF GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITARIANISM

There is an important issue, about increasing the number of students, which poses the question of professional career prospects.

The government has unilaterally decided to reject dialogue with both the students’ and teachers’ Unions on the authoritarian methods of selection for entry to the faculties.

This method is used in exactly the same way to exclude a growing number of our own children from entry into further education.

When were the parents’ associations consulted?

–SUSPICION OF CAPITALIST SOCIETY

We would like to refer to a statement previously made by workers, and (alas) reproduced in pamphlets “Students are the sons of bourgeois parents. Tomorrow, they will be the managing directors of our industries. We want nothing to do with them.”

Let us add two comments:

• If the number of sons of working-class families is so small in universities, it is the responsibility not of the students themselves, but rather of the system that the government enforces, which tends to shut the door of higher education to children of less well-to-do families.

• Whatever their social origin, students rebel as we do ourselves against a society which does not satisfy them, because it is led by oppressive capitalism and therefore is incapable of satisfying deeper human aspirations.

The following quotation from a pamphlet produced by UNEF is indicative of this view:

“… The workers reject a society which is exploiting them, the students reject a university which attempts to change them into docile executors of a system based on exploration, and sometimes even into direct accomplices of exploitation.”

This rejection of a society of the car, TV and conditioning by advertising where men are sick, not knowing why they are living any more, is extremely healthy.”

If we are determined, this can be the beginning of a positive enterprise to build our new society not on anarchical production, waste, and wealth for same through others’ destitution, but on justice, solidarity, freedom. responsibility, and respect for every man, whoever he is.

POSITION OF THE CFDT• We workers must not let ourselves be led into unjustified reaction which would cut us off from our allies the students.

• On the contrary, with them we demand:

• the freedom of those in prison and the withdrawal of unjust charges;

• the removal of the police from the Latin Quarter;

• the reopening of the universities;

• the solution of the basic problems of the university: we are especially concerned that our children will benefit from the solution.

THIS IS WHY WE CALL ON ALL WORKERS

– FOR A 24-HOUR GENERAL STRIKE ON MONDAY 13 MAY,

– TO TAKE PART EN MASSE IN THE DEMONSTRATION

decided on by the union organisations.

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 – “The organisations of the U.N.E.F, U.G.E, the S.N.E.Sup, the C.G.T, the C.F.D.T and the F.E.N. make the following call :” (12 May 1968 – UNEF, SNESup, CGT, CFDT, FEN)

20 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by in CFDT, CGT, FEN, May 6-12 1968, SNESup, Uncategorized, UNEF, Union

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(Translation – Fisera 46 – May 12, UNEF, UGE, SNESup, CGT, CFDT, FEN)

The organisations of the U.N.E.F
U.G.E, the S.N.E.Sup, the C.G.T
the C.F.D.T and the F.E.N.
make the following call :

 Public opinion has been shattered by the ferocious police repression which has been unleashed against the students and academics in the Latin Quarter.

 The repression has provoked spirited indignation against the regime.

 The union organisations C.F.D.T., C.G.T., F.E.N., C.G.T.-F.O. and C.G.C. have declared a general 24 hour strike for Monday, 13 May. the U.N.E.F.-U.G.E. and S.N.E. Sup. are carrying on with their strike.

 It is the determined action of the students and teachers in higher education, followed by the call for a general stake and the emotion expressed by a large part of public opinion as well as the attitudes of numerous political parties and movements that have forced the government to stand down.

 In the name of the solidarity which joins together the students. teachers and all the workers against police repression, let us unite.

– For an amnesty for convicted demonstrators and for the revocation of all legal, administrative and academic trials,
– For trade-union and political freedoms,
– And for the success of their common aspirations:
– A democratic reform of education serving the workers,
– Full employment,
– A change in the economic system by and for the people.

—–

 The trade-union organisations of the Paris region, U.N.E.F., U.G.E., S.N.E. Sup., F.E.N., C.F.D.T. and C.G.T., call on the students, teachers, workers and all the population to demonstrate en masse.

 Monday afternoon, 13 May
from Place de la République 
to Place Denfert-Rochereau. 

 The demonstration is set to leave at 3.30p.m.

 The C.G.T.-F.O. of the Paris region has also put out an appeal for this demonstration.

 On the route of the demonstration collections will be made by the organisations, on behalf of the victims of the repression.

 Welcoming the calls from parties and groups to participate in the demonstration, the organisers have decided to maintain the trade-unionist character of the demonstration. 

 In the same spirit, the only papers which will be distributed will be those of the organisations who have signed the appeal.

Paris, May 12 1968 – 7:30 p.m.

The URP CGT and CFDT call on the workers of the
Paris Region to assemble from 2:30 p.m.
In the Avenue de la République
at the top of Rue 
Jean-Pierre Timbaud

Tract – “Today 13th May” (13 May 1968 – CFDT)

20 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by in CFDT, May 13-19 1968, Tract, Uncategorized, Union

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TODAY 13 MAY

At the call of our respective organisations

WORKERS   and   STUDENTS
              WE CARRY OUT ONE AND THE SAME FIGHT

Against the intransigence of the government

Against police repression
For the amnesty of the convicted demonstrators

OUR STRUGGLES CONVERGE
IN THE PROTEST AGAINST CAPITALIST SOCIETY

For Union and Political freedoms

For a democratic University and an education at the
service of the Workers

For full employment and the transformation of the
economic system by and for the People

WORKERS AND STUDENTS ALL UNITED IN
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIETY UNDER THE

DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF WORKERS

Tract – “We belong to the 95% of the Workers” (late May 1968 – CGT, CFDT, CGT-FO, FEN)

29 Sunday May 2016

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

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WE BELONG TO
THE 95% OF 
WORKERS

who have for 10 YEARS been the VICTIMS of the refusal of dialogue and the exploitation of employers and the government.

THE STRIKE HAS DRIVEN THEM BACK!

We reject the call to civil war by the Head of State,

only the satisfaction of our claims will stop the strike.

The U.D. : CGT – CFDT – CGT-FO – FEN

Tract – “All unite to make May 13 a great day of struggle” (13 May 1968- Parti Communiste Français)

13 Friday May 2016

Posted by in May 13-19 1968, PCF, Tract, Uncategorized, Union

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Workers, students, teachers

All unite to make May 13
a great day of struggle

 The Gaullist government has been forced to make its first retreat. It had to consider: the power of the students’ and teachers’ movement; the support of the workers and democratic forces for the student victims of repression; and the call of trade unions for a general strike and powerful demonstrations for May 13 – which is a decisive factor in the government retreat.

 The French Communist Party is calling on you to make this day of struggle a great success, to compel the government to quickly implement the announced measures, and obtain:
 – full and complete amnesty for the convicted;
 – the immediate release of the imprisoned;
 – the total withdrawal of police forces from university premises and the Latin Quarter;
 – the immediate reopening of schools and the conduct of examinations and tests without candidates having to suffer difficulties because of these events.

 That is not enough. The legitimate discontent and the struggles of students and teachers have their origin in the deep crisis in the University. To address this crisis, with the workers, students and teachers, we require:
 – The rapid creation of new Faculties and technical colleges, suited to contemporary realities, and the appointment of a sufficient number of qualified teachers.
 – The satisfaction of the claims of the students: study grants; the development of social and cultural works co-managed with the participation of students; the establishment of a democratic life in universities and colleges.

 These are the primary objectives in the struggle for a democratic and modern University to replace the current class-based University.

 Against the power of the capitalist monopolies, the factory and office workers are fighting for increases in wages, the guarantee of jobs and resources, the repeal of anti-social orders, the respect and extension of trade union freedoms.

 Thus, the essential interests of students, factory workers, and of all manual and office workers converge. The realization of their just aspirations is possible only by eliminating this government of personal power and by the institution of a new and genuine democracy, paving the way for socialism.

 To this end, the French Communist Party works to strengthen mutual ties between the working class, the decisive force of our time, and all the other people’s forces, to strengthen the union of workers and democratic forces.

ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE STRIKE AND THE DEMONSTRATION
EVERYONE TO REPUBLIQUE AT 3P.M.!

The Federations of Paris, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val-d’Oise, the Yvelines of the French Communist Party.

Tract – “DE GAULLE Tears off his Mask” (11 May 1968 – PSU)

11 Wednesday May 2016

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

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(Translated in Fisera – Document 40)

The Regime Celebrates
its Tenth Anniversary

DE GAULLE Tears off his Mask

The police responded savagely to the students demands:
– freedom and an amnesty for those imprisoned.
– reopening of the Sorbonne ;
– retreat of the police force.

The students’ and teachers’ unions have accepted their responsibility: in reply to their proposals, the regime has chosen the most bloody repressive path.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY NOW KNOWS
THAT THE GAULLIST REGIME IS LYING :

The police have not been attacked:
– it is the police who have lit all the fires ;
– it is the police who have used harmful grenades and chlorine-based gases,
– it is the police alone who are responsible for the hundreds of wounded, some of whom will not survive.

The demand for university freedoms meets with the combat for workers’ freedoms.
In 10 days of fighting, the students have opened a breach in the capitalist society.

THE WORKERS’ GENERAL STRIKE
MUST WIDEN THE BREACH

No other form of bourgeois society must succeed Gaullism, but a socialist society under the democratic control of the workers.
The PSU has from the start unreservedly supported the students’ and teachers’ action, and has taken part in it.
The PSU calls on all workers to ensure the success of the GENERAL STRIKE and to take part in the DEMONSTRATION ORGANISED BY the UNEF, the CGT, the CFDT and the FEN.

SOLIDARITY with the STUDENTS

EVERYONE TO THE PSU RALLY
MONDAY 13 AT 8:30PM
MUTUALITÉ

Tract – “What is happening at the ORTF?” (Around 7th June 1968 – Intersyndicale de l’ORTF)

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

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UNION OF THE O.R.T.F.

116 Quai du President Kennedy, Paris 16
What is happening at the O.R.T.F.?

The television is on strike

France-Inter is on strike

THE ARMY AND THE POLICE HAVE BESIEGED THE TRANSMITTERS.

The pictures that you see, the news reports that you hear, are no longer ours, but THOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT.  All the staff of the O.R.T.F. are on strike.

WHY?
For impartial NEW REPORTS, honest and complete.
For INDEPENDENCE from the government, whatever it’s [composition].

For quality programmes.

THE FIGHT OF THE O.R.T.F. ON STRIKE IS THAT OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY.