The Despotism of Speed
This was published in the early 90s by someone in or around the Encyclopaedie des Nuisances, at the time of the vast extension of the TGV (fast-speed railway) into all parts of France.
Translated from the French.
PROVISIONAL SUMMARY OF OUR GRIEVANCES AGAINST THE DESPOTISM OF SPEED
On the occasion of the extension of the T.G.V. fast-speed railway track.
Interview with Julien Coupat
Translation of a very recent interview with one of the several individuals in France accused of "terrorism" for allegedly sabotaging railway lines.
Interview with Julien Coupat
Auguste Blanqui
Submitted by BNB on May 26 2009 18:45
A translation of the preface to a recent collection of Blanqui's writings
"To a friend"
"To judge from the current disposition of people's minds, communism isn't exactly knocking on the door. But nothing is as deceptive as the situation, because nothing is so changeable." (Blanqui)
Balance Sheet and Perspectives
The Bourse du travail at rue Charlot in Paris has been occupied since 2 May 2008.
Whereas the occupation of the Bourse du travail in Paris by the Sans-papiers workers is officially threatened by eviction by the highest authority of management of the Bourse, it really seems that the time has come to ask oneself one simple question: what is the balance sheet of this struggle?
French universities in revolt over education reforms
Submitted by Ed on Apr 26 2009 18:59
For more than 10 weeks now, French universities have been disrupted by strikes, mass meetings, demonstrations and occupations as a daily occurrence in an unheard-of wave of protest by university staff and students against President Nicolas Sarkozy's neoliberal reforms of higher education.
A dozen mass demonstrations with tens of thousands of people have been held, motorway tollbooths have been occupied and university council meetings invaded. Parallel university lectures, in streets, shopping centres or on trams have been used to help popularise the movement that shows no sign of stopping.
Factory workers trash plant over closure
Submitted by Steven. on Apr 21 2009 17:03
Workers at a Continental tyre factory in France destroyed two buildings after learning that legal attempts to block the closure of their plant failed.
Reuters reported that German car parts maker Continental, which operates the plant at Clairoix in northern France, announced on March 11 it would close the site as well as a German plant at Hanover because of a severe auto industry crisis.
Electronics workers save their jobs in France
Submitted by jef costello on Apr 15 2009 14:30
After an occupation and strike lasting over six weeks workers at the FCI Microconnections in Mantes-la-Jolie have saved their jobs.
The strike began on February 24th with workers demanding assurances on their future. Management refusal to give information on production at an equivalent factory in Singapore and an announcement that there was 'overstaffing' led workers to believe that the company was planning to shut the factory down and shift production.
Student protests across Europe
Submitted by Ed on Mar 20 2009 17:54
As neo-liberal education reforms are planned across Europe, students in the continent have been taking to the streets leading to battles with riot police in several cities.
On Wednesday morning, the day before the general strike over one million workers, students clashed with riot police in Paris after a demonstration over the university reforms. Universities across France have been barricaded and picketed for almost two months in a standoff over these higher education reforms.
New nationwide general strike hits France
Submitted by elios on Mar 19 2009 15:59
Hundreds of thousands of French workers are expected to join the country's second nationwide strike in two months.
Workers are protesting against President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further. Demonstrations are planned in about 200 towns and cities. Many schools are closed and public transport disrupted.
Organisers predict the protest will be bigger than one in January, when more than a million people took part.
General strikes around the world
Submitted by Ed on Feb 10 2009 23:14
As French unions isolate a general strike by workers in Guadeloupe, workers in Chad have set next Monday for their general strike while the leader of the Spanish UGT hints at one (or stalls for time?) in Spain.
French unions isolate Guadeloupe general strike
Can comment on articles and discussions