[The following report of the occupation of a Fiat factory in Córdoba, Argentina, near the end of August was published in the August 30-September 7 issue of Avanzada Socialista, the weekly newspaper of the Argentine Partido Socialista de los Trabajadores (PST - Socialist Workers party). The translation is by Intercontinental Press.]
The confrontation between the Fiat workers in Córdoba and the tradeunion bureaucracy does not date from yesterday. Ever since a class-struggle leadership arose in SITRAC [Sindicato de Trabajadores Concord - Concord Workers Union] and SITRAM [Sindicato de Trabajadores Materfer - Materfer Workers Union], the workers have ceased to put up with the preponderance of the bureaucrats. The military dictatorship, the bosses, and [José] Rucci [head of the CGT (Confederación General del Trabajo- General
Confederation of Labor)] attacked this class-struggle leadmercilessly. Their unions ership banned at bayonet point. were
Sebastián, minister of labor San under Levingston and Lanusse, 1082
decreed that the Materfer and Concord workers had to join the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica [UOM — Metallurgical Workers Union]. This is being continued under the Peronist government and labor minister Otero.
But the workers want to be affiliated with SMATA [Sindicato de Mecánicos y Afines del Transporte Automotor del Automóvil- Union of Automotive Machinists and Allied Trades]-a union that, unlike the UOM, has a class-struggle, combative leadership in Córdoba. Up to now, the resistance of the Materfer and Concord workers has prevented the UOM bureaucrats and goons from consolidating an organization in those plants.
The occupation of the Fiat Concord plant on August 21 represented a big step forward in this process. The sparks that set off the explosion of worker indignation were the nonpayment of wages at the middle of the month, and the statement from the UOM indicating that 1,800 workers had voted in the elections it organized, whereas in reality not even 300 had done so.
Thus a general assembly was called in which it was decided to take over the plant, making three demands: im-
RUCCI: Fiat workers hit him hard.
of the union of gas and electric power workers] must say where they stand. SMATA has already taken a stand, for in this case there can be no doubt: Either you are for the workers or you are for the bosses."
Other speakers follow. Flores points out that López does not deserve the confidence that the Córdoba workers movement has placed in him. Rubén Regnone of the Materfer Commission expresses solidarity and says that the armed thugs of the UOM and the plainclothes police who are loose in that plant have prevented any concrete measures of support for Concord from being taken.
All night long on the other side of the gates a bonfire is burning. Therevolutionary songs that are sung there testify to the continuing sense of solidarity.
Third Day of Occupation
At noon, more than 1,000 workers from GMD, Perkins, and Thompson Ramco again break through the police barrier and reach Concord. The plant sirens are blown to welcome them; various speeches are made. Then minibuses and trucks on Route 9 are "expropriated," and there is a march to Kaiser Santa Isabel, where a rally of 8,000 workers from both shifts is held. Salamanca calls for solidarity with Concord, and says: "Ló- pez told me yesterday that he doubted that 10,000 auto workers would support the companeros. We must show him that this support does exist."
His words are greeted with thunderous applause. A caravan of 5,000 workers marches toward the governor's office. From there 3,000 go on to Ferreyra. As the caravan goes past the bullpen, the police attack with gas and bullets: The demonstration disperses, and only small groups reach Concord.
During the night, the police reinforce their barriers.
Fourth Day of Occupation
The Concord workers are in high spirits and in a mood for struggle. More than 1,000 workers gather in a general assembly in the morning. Salamanca and the Commission report on the negotiations: The company agrees that it will pay what it owes and not take reprisals; the provincial government agrees to arrange a meeting with the minister of labor to discuss the question of union affiliation.
In a completely disciplined fashion, a vote is taken to end the occupation. And thus closes another episode in the heroic struggle of the Córdoba workers movement, which can take pride in having fought a battlewell.