Audio commentary in English

THE FEBRUARY 1974 STRIKE IN MARTINIQUE: A HISTORIC TURNING POINT

The February 1974 strike in Martinique, often referred to as the Chalvet strike, marked a historic turning point in the island’s social history. The general strike that enveloped the island during this period, affecting various sectors of activity, is rarely discussed. Yet it served as a catalyst for radical changes in working conditions, particularly in agriculture, and for the reshaping of the political and trade union landscape.

This movement represented the first large-scale social mobilization since 1961 in rural areas, marking the beginning of a new era of active protest. It spread across sectors, embodying trans-sectoral solidarity, as construction workers, industrial workers, administrative employees, teachers, and high school students united in a general strike.

The mobilization led to unprecedented demonstrations, with more than 4,000 people in the streets of Fort-de-France, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the shared aspiration for significant change.

The authorities responded to this mobilization with severe repression, culminating in the tragic ambush at Chalvet on February 14, which, rather than discouraging the protesters, galvanized the resistance. It drew attention to the struggles of agricultural workers and fostered even stronger solidarity among the Martinican population.

POLITICAL AND UNION INFLUENCE

This strike transformed Martinique’s political and trade union landscape. The Communist Party and the CGT no longer held the hegemony over social struggles as they had for nearly 40 years. Groups that were previously marginal or little-known to the public, such as the Socialist Revolutionary Group (GRS), the Proletarian Action Group (GAP), the September 1870 Group, and the Marronneurs, began to take an active role in leading the movement, introducing new dynamics to local activism.

The strike revealed a diversity of currents and trends within the labor movement. While this plurality of actors enriched the debate on strategies of struggle, it also exposed internal conflicts, resulting in sharp tensions among the different leaders seeking to guide the movement.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

The creation of UPSOA (Patriotic Union for Support of Agricultural Workers) symbolized the collective will to support the strikers. This organization brought together various groups, strengthening the movement with political and financial support, and demonstrated the commitment of Martiniquans and the diaspora in the fight for social justice.

UPSOA organized a support gala for the accused, featuring some of the most famous Antillean orchestras, such as Malavoi, La Perfecta, Ti-Emile, and many others.

IMPACT AND LEGACY

Far more than a mere social conflict, the 1974 strike demonstrated the workers’ ability to organize and fight for their rights, profoundly influencing future generations and altering the social and political balance of power in Martinique. This historic event remains in the collective memory as a powerful testament to the struggle for dignity, justice, and equality.

THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE 1974 STRIKE IN MARTINIQUE

Audio commentary in English

MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE 1974 STRIKE IN MARTINIQUE

The high school students' strike was a key moment of protest, where hundreds of students mobilized against the rise in boarding and half-board fees, despite the skepticism of teachers' unions and parents' associations. It was characterized by active participation in demonstrations and a strong response to the authorities’ and school administrations' attempts at intimidation.

The struggle of the SPDEM (Société de Production et de Distribution d’Électricité de Martinique) highlighted the strategic importance of the electricity sector in the general strike of 1974. Employees demanded the same rights as their counterparts at EDF in mainland France and launched strike actions despite the potential unpopularity of power cuts.

WOMEN AND STUDENTS IN THE STRUGGLE

Audio commentary in English

WOMEN AND STUDENTS IN THE STRUGGLE

The involvement of women and high school students was significant, illustrating a broad-based mobilization across Martinican society. Raymonde Cabrimol, a prominent figure in the strike, symbolized the active and determined participation of women in the movement.

The high school students' strike was a key moment of protest, with hundreds of students mobilizing against the increase in boarding and half-board fees, despite the skepticism of teachers' unions and parents' associations.

This strike was characterized by active participation in demonstrations and a strong response to attempts by authorities and school administrations to intimidate them.

The struggle of the SPDEM (Société de Production et de Distribution d’Électricité de Martinique) highlighted the strategic importance of the electricity sector in the general strike of 1974. Employees demanded rights equivalent to those of their counterparts at EDF in mainland France and engaged in strike actions, despite the potential unpopularity of power cuts.