Around a book: Their factory, our lives, our deaths

In Beauvais, on December 12, 2024, it is the story of a small factory that became large, then dismantled then sold then resold according to employer interests, and the history of the worker struggles of these companies which was mentioned during a meeting with 70 people.

It was able to stand thanks to the will of our comrade Catherine Méry and her work to write: Their factory, our lives, our deaths. From Lockheed to Bosch, Beauvais (1956-2020). This work reports on worker mobilizations, leaflets, newspapers for example The Red Mole without brakenewsletter of the mole group Lockeed.

Workers exposed to asbestos

A little history: Lockheed, this small factory (300 employees) was created in Beauvais in 1957. In 1961, the factory was sold to DBA (Ducellier-Bendix-Air equipment). Then in 1983, DBA became Bendix France. In 1993, the factory became Allied Signal, a brake system. In 1996, the factory became Bosch Braking Système Company with 700 employees. In 2010, the factory closed. The remaining 350 employees underwent a social plan.

Maître Barbara Vrillac was present at the meeting on December 12. She defended workers, particularly when the danger of asbestos was denounced. She explained the bosses' maneuvers so that the anxiety damage was not taken into account. They failed after years of delaying tactics aimed at minimizing the danger of asbestos and then making any payment difficult.

Employees mobilized internationally

The need for concrete internationalist solidarity was also important during the workers' uprisings in Poland in 1980. CFDT unionists from the FEN, activists from the Socialist Party, the LCR and personalities from the associative world were at the origin of a “Solidarity with Solidarity” committee. During his speech Yves Berthault addressed the strength of solidarity and the importance of going to Poland. Solidarity had another orientation with the struggle of the Lips and the support that came from the factories and in particular from the Bosch factory.

Finally, Jacotte, a plastic arts teacher, created a 20-meter banner in 1975 retracing the comrades' struggle. Finally, a bit of activist advertising: you can find Catherine's book at the La Brèche bookstore.

Richard