France: Russian and Ukrainian workers strike at Orange Fox
The “Initiative de solidarité Olga TARATUTA” calls for support of the strikers:
Solidarity with the Russian and Ukrainian workers at Orange Fox Bike Tours who are on strike against their predatory boss!
The workers at Orange Fox Bike went on strike [in Paris at the end of October] so that their dignity would be respected by the predatory boss who exploited them like slaves. Because in this company for tourist bike tours, the workers are hired as tour guides or mechanics without a contract and are only paid starvation wages.
They therefore demand correct and formal employment contracts. After the employer refused to pay at least the minimum wage, the workers decided to go one step further and occupied the company a week ago [mid-November 2024]. They organize themselves as a collective, are supported by trade union activists and think about how things could continue “afterwards” without a boss.
Now that the workers have dared to go on strike, defy the boss and occupy their company, they are also daring to think about alternative solutions. This is quite remarkable given the current situation full of despondency and social discontent.
But what is particularly unusual is that these are Russian and Ukrainian workers! Even though they are at war with each other, they show practical solidarity, class solidarity! They bring to life the old slogan of the workers’ movement: “No war but class war.” Through their actions they show that workers have common interests. And that their enemy is not their class brothers (or sisters), but the boss who exploits them.
The strikers painted some posters in the tourist bike tour company. They bring their fighting spirit and happy mood onto the walls:
Russians and Ukrainians – a common enemy: capital
Donation option via the CNT-AIT France solidarity fund:
Keyword: Solidarite grevistes Orange Bike
IBAN: FR81 2004 1010 1603 1175 7H03 7 45
BIC : PSSTFRPPTO (Banque Postale)
Photos: Initiative de solidarité Olga TARATUTA / CNT-AIT France
Translation: ASN Cologne (CC: BY-NC, asnkoeln.wordpress.com)
Update:
Various actions in support of the strikers were organized, including a bicycle ride to the town hall and the National Assembly, as well as cultural events and discussions. The occupation has now been cleared by the police, but the workers are now continuing their fight in court. They also have on November 14th. took part in a solidarity alliance demonstration for the rights of “people without papers” that took place on “International Migrants Day” under the motto “Disobedience, resistance, fight – state racism paves the way for fascism”.
