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{{Main|LIP (company)}} {{Main|LIP (company)}}


Lip, an old watchmaking manufacturer, was founded in 1867 by Emmanuel Lipmann, a watchmaker who established the company in Besançon. After World War II, the factory became one of the largest watch producers globally. Fred Lipmann, the founder’s son who became known as Fred Lip after changing his name to avoid antisemitic policies during the Vichy regime, transitioned the company from craftsmanship to assembly line production.<ref name="Boulouque202009">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nonfiction.fr/article-10448-les-usines-lip-miroir-des-seventies.htm |title=Les usines Lip, miroir des seventies |author=Sylvain Boulouque |website=Nonfiction.fr |date=7 September 2020}}</ref> Lip, an old watchmaking manufacturer, was founded in 1867 by Emmanuel Lipmann, a watchmaker who established the company in Besançon. After World War II, the factory became one of the largest watch producers globally. Fred Lipmann, the founder’s son who became known as Fred Lip after changing his name to avoid antisemitic policies during the Vichy regime, transitioned the company from craftsmanship to assembly line production.<ref name="Boulouque202009">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nonfiction.fr/article-10448-les-usines-lip-miroir-des-seventies.htm |title=Les usines Lip, miroir des seventies |author=Sylvain Boulouque |website=Nonfiction.fr |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208182422/https://www.nonfiction.fr/article-10448-les-usines-lip-miroir-des-seventies.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>


In the 1960s, Lip faced financial difficulties due to competition from low-cost watches, especially from Asia. In 1967, Fred Lip sold 33% of the company to the Swiss firm '']'', part of the ], which later became the ]. In the 1960s, Lip faced financial difficulties due to competition from low-cost watches, especially from Asia. In 1967, Fred Lip sold 33% of the company to the Swiss firm '']'', part of the ], which later became the ].
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=== Beginning of the Lip Affair === === Beginning of the Lip Affair ===
{{Main|May 68}} {{Main|May 68}}
In May 1973, a workers’ action committee (''Comité d’action''), inspired by the spirit of ], reassembled at Lip.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lesutopiques.org/mai-68-chez-lip-a-besancon/ |title=Mai 68 chez Lip à Besançon |author=] |website=Les Utopiques |date=18 June 2018}}</ref> In May 1973, a workers’ action committee (''Comité d’action''), inspired by the spirit of ], reassembled at Lip.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lesutopiques.org/mai-68-chez-lip-a-besancon/ |title=Mai 68 chez Lip à Besançon |author=] |website=Les Utopiques |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613144546/https://www.lesutopiques.org/mai-68-chez-lip-a-besancon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On {{date|12|June|1973}}, during an extraordinary meeting of the ], workers discovered plans for {{formatnum:480}} layoffs (“480 to go”) and a strategy to dismantle the mechanical division while retaining only the watchmaking sector.<ref name="Gen483">{{Cite book |author1=] |author2=] |title=Génération |volume=II |date=1988 |pages=483–484}}</ref> Workers immediately occupied the Palente factory, hiding a stock of {{formatnum:25000}} watches.<ref name="Gen483" /> The strike, led by ] member ] and supported by ], gained national prominence.<ref name="Gen483" /> On {{date|12|June|1973}}, during an extraordinary meeting of the ], workers discovered plans for {{formatnum:480}} layoffs (“480 to go”) and a strategy to dismantle the mechanical division while retaining only the watchmaking sector.<ref name="Gen483">{{Cite book |author1=] |author2=] |title=Génération |volume=II |date=1988 |pages=483–484}}</ref> Workers immediately occupied the Palente factory, hiding a stock of {{formatnum:25000}} watches.<ref name="Gen483" /> The strike, led by ] member ] and supported by ], gained national prominence.<ref name="Gen483" />


The workers began producing watches under their control to ensure “survival wages,” popularizing the slogan: ''"It’s possible: we make them, we sell them, we get paid."''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |title=L'affaire Lip 1968-1981 |author=Donald Reid |publisher=Presses Universitaires de Rennes |year=2020 |pages=119–154}}</ref> Direct sales of these watches at reduced prices angered the ] network, prompting legal action.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |title=L'affaire Lip 1968-1981 |author=Donald Reid |publisher=Presses Universitaires de Rennes |year=2020}}</ref> The workers began producing watches under their control to ensure “survival wages,” popularizing the slogan: ''"It’s possible: we make them, we sell them, we get paid."''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |title=L'affaire Lip 1968-1981 |author=Donald Reid |publisher=Presses Universitaires de Rennes |year=2020 |pages=119–154 |access-date=2024-12-24 |archive-date=2024-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111030531/https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |url-status=live }}</ref> Direct sales of these watches at reduced prices angered the ] network, prompting legal action.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |title=L'affaire Lip 1968-1981 |author=Donald Reid |publisher=Presses Universitaires de Rennes |year=2020 |access-date=2024-12-24 |archive-date=2024-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111030531/https://books.openedition.org/pur/191275?lang=fr |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== The Political and Social Support === === The Political and Social Support ===
On {{date|29|September|1973}}, a national march in Besançon drew {{formatnum:100000}} participants.<ref name="Gen541">{{Cite book |author1=] |author2=] |title=Génération |volume=II |date=1988 |pages=541–542}}</ref> Political figures, including ], and leftist groups such as the ] and the ], demonstrated solidarity with the workers.<ref name="Gen541" /> On {{date|29|September|1973}}, a national march in Besançon drew {{formatnum:100000}} participants.<ref name="Gen541">{{Cite book |author1=] |author2=] |title=Génération |volume=II |date=1988 |pages=541–542}}</ref> Political figures, including ], and leftist groups such as the ] and the ], demonstrated solidarity with the workers.<ref name="Gen541" />


However, on {{date|15|October}}, Prime Minister ] declared, "Lip is finished." Despite ongoing efforts, including negotiations led by ], the company struggled to survive.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Gérard Da Silva |title=Histoire de la CGT-FO et de son union départementale de Paris (1895-2009) |publisher=L'Harmattan |year=2010 |pages=244}}</ref> However, on {{date|15|October}}, Prime Minister ] declared, "Lip is finished." Despite ongoing efforts, including negotiations led by ], the company struggled to survive.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Gérard Da Silva |title=Histoire de la CGT-FO et de son union départementale de Paris (1895-2009) |publisher=L'Harmattan |year=2010 |pages=244}}</ref>
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Latest revision as of 08:23, 28 December 2024

See also: Lip (disambiguation)

The Lip Affair refers to the events surrounding a strike at the Lip watch factory in Besançon, France, during the 1970s. Beginning in 1973, the conflict lasted until mid-1976, mobilizing tens of thousands of people across France and Europe. The movement's highlight was the Lip March on 29, which brought over 100,000 demonstrators to a "dead city" Besançon.

History

Lip: From a Family Business to a Factory

Main article: LIP (company)

Lip, an old watchmaking manufacturer, was founded in 1867 by Emmanuel Lipmann, a watchmaker who established the company in Besançon. After World War II, the factory became one of the largest watch producers globally. Fred Lipmann, the founder’s son who became known as Fred Lip after changing his name to avoid antisemitic policies during the Vichy regime, transitioned the company from craftsmanship to assembly line production.

In the 1960s, Lip faced financial difficulties due to competition from low-cost watches, especially from Asia. In 1967, Fred Lip sold 33% of the company to the Swiss firm Ébauches SA, part of the ASUAG, which later became the Swatch Group.

Beginning of the Lip Affair

Main article: May 68

In May 1973, a workers’ action committee (Comité d’action), inspired by the spirit of May 68, reassembled at Lip.

On 12, during an extraordinary meeting of the Works council, workers discovered plans for 480 layoffs (“480 to go”) and a strategy to dismantle the mechanical division while retaining only the watchmaking sector. Workers immediately occupied the Palente factory, hiding a stock of 25,000 watches. The strike, led by CFDT member Charles Piaget and supported by Jean Raguenès, gained national prominence.

The workers began producing watches under their control to ensure “survival wages,” popularizing the slogan: "It’s possible: we make them, we sell them, we get paid." Direct sales of these watches at reduced prices angered the watchmaking network, prompting legal action.

The Political and Social Support

On 29, a national march in Besançon drew 100,000 participants. Political figures, including Michel Rocard, and leftist groups such as the Ligue communiste révolutionnaire and the Gauche prolétarienne, demonstrated solidarity with the workers.

However, on 15, Prime Minister Pierre Messmer declared, "Lip is finished." Despite ongoing efforts, including negotiations led by Claude Neuschwander, the company struggled to survive.

Legacy

The Lip Affair symbolizes a pivotal moment in French labor history, highlighting innovative labor movements such as autogestion. Although Lip was eventually liquidated in 1977, its legacy endures through cultural references and academic analyses.

References

  1. "Lip strip pour les ouvriers horlogers". Libération. 24 April 2014.
  2. Sylvain Boulouque (7 September 2020). "Les usines Lip, miroir des seventies". Nonfiction.fr. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  3. Charles Piaget (18 June 2018). "Mai 68 chez Lip à Besançon". Les Utopiques. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  4. ^ Hervé Hamon; Patrick Rotman (1988). Génération. Vol. II. pp. 483–484.
  5. Donald Reid (2020). "L'affaire Lip 1968-1981". Presses Universitaires de Rennes. pp. 119–154. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
  6. Donald Reid (2020). "L'affaire Lip 1968-1981". Presses Universitaires de Rennes. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
  7. ^ Hervé Hamon; Patrick Rotman (1988). Génération. Vol. II. pp. 541–542.
  8. Gérard Da Silva (2010). Histoire de la CGT-FO et de son union départementale de Paris (1895-2009). L'Harmattan. p. 244.
  9. Donald Reid (2020). L'affaire Lip 1968-1981. Presses Universitaires de Rennes.

See also

Categories: