and went on holiday. On the second day 70 women textile workers went back to work determined to defy the dismissal notices they'd received.
It is the first factory occupation in Swedish history. The factory is in the north of Sweden in the small town of Solleftea. It is a region with very high unemployment. The factory is part of a combine, Eiser, which is owned by the Swedish state.
Illegal Every other factory owned by them in the north of Sweden has been shut down and 600 dismissal notices announced in the south. Despite the holiday period, the occupation atracted a lo of attention. came from the local social democratic leadership, although the action is illegal, from hospital workers, soldiers and trade unions.
But support at a national level was not forthcoming in the first month.
democrat leader, Olaf Palme VA said that, although he had sympathy and understanding for the women he could 'not support this clearly illegal action' The leader union also said 'stop the occupation, it doesn't create one single job both the employers leaders were forced to change their tune: The company agreed to meet a delegation from the occupied factory non-distribution pants for the Swedish army!
ference of the main textile union sup ported the occupation and forced the Support leaders to call a political strike against the government. right to work, a human right. We do not accept further dismissals.
in the textile industry. We support th Eiser workers demand for new jobs.' Such events and support are rare indeed in There of the main textile the women should But as the occupation continued and the union United alter it had been threatened with of 27,000• Even more significantly, the conuntil 'They demand the if necessary we've won.
'Instead, Sweden needs more jobs tremely Your Bank.
Name of Account to be debited the heavily bureaucratised unions of Sweden.
are many similarities with the Lee Jeans occupation. First and foremost, women lead the struggle Both regions suffer very heavily from unemployment. Trade reformist leaders give, at best, half. hearted support.
Both occupations have relied on the support from the rank and file of . The workers in women Jeans conthey won In Sollefte the women will 'continue until Christma:
We will keep on until This first ever factory occupation in Sweden will almost certainly be a long drawn out battle. It is an important test for the Swedish working class.
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE BANKER'S ORDER FORM