"BLOW FOR BLOW" "That's the third time I've asked to go to the toilet." " Having a good chat are you?" " She asked for my scissors." "Still on about the scissors!" "It's been going on all day." "You've been on about it since this morning." "I'm going to have to take sanctions." "Why don't you give her the scissors?" "She needs them." " I'll deal with it." " We've been waiting three days." "Get to bed early." "You'd work better!" "What are you working like that for?" "Silly idiot!" "Every day it's the same for the 300 girls here." "Like in all the factories where women weave or assemble articles of clothing." "We arrive half-asleep, and off we go again." "Without stopping or raising our heads." "It's that or nothing." "We have to accept these conditions." "There's no work in the area." "If we're a minute late, they dock fifteen minutes of pay." "Only one thing matters." "Maximum output so a maximum of cash goes into Boursac's pocket." "So Monique, are you happy with your pay?" "This is for rent and the childminder, and this is what's left." "It serves you right." "You have to produce more." "Suck up to them." "They promised to move me." " They did that to me for 3 years." " It's all right for you now." "Yes, it's better." "But half my pay is for the childminder." "I work my fingers to the bone." "I still get 25% less than my man." "I'm really sick of this." "6.20..." "If they let us go five minutes earlier, we'd get the earlier bus." "And I'd be at home by now." "Twenty minutes more in which to unwind." "Up you go!" "Come on!" "Move it, for God's sake!" "Open the door." "Hurry up!" "What a lazy girl you are!" "I checked the contributions." "Three quarters aren't up to date." "It's no good." "You'll have to discuss it in your workshop." "I can't take the money out of their pockets!" "Besides, they've had enough." "We don't have time to talk in the workshops." "When you make a friend, they move you." "When a machine breaks, the foremen make you sweep so you don't waste a minute." "Two girls doing the same work receive different pay." "The bosses have tried to divide us, but some of us have got together." "You have to start somewhere." "We're sick of the unions and their futile strikes." "We won't accept their few centimes increase." "We want more now." "We don't want to live like this." "We're sick of being exploited." "We have to get organized." "By disrupting the rate of production, by ignoring the foremen who try to respect it." "That's how we'll do it." "The boss only cares about making money." "It's not us who should pay, it's him." " It doesn't work." " Don't all talk at once." "Unbelievable!" "Doesn't it work?" "Come on, hurry up!" "Your output is up the spout!" " I'm not doing overtime!" " We'll see about that." "Find it funny, do you?" "What's got into you?" "We're losing money!" "Take your time." " Can you try to be quick?" " All right." " Take your time!" " I need a screwdriver." " Let's see..." " Can you see anything?" " A man." " We didn't ask you." "They seem well pleased!" "Check all the machines!" "That's enough!" "Be quiet!" "Work is bad for the health" "Doing nothing keeps you fit" "The prisoners of work" "Don't last long before they cop it" "Get back to your seat!" "Sitting down won't bring the current back." "What do you want me to do?" "Right." "Get back to your seat." "Short circuits aren't easy to find." " Have you finished?" " Want my place?" "Don't get smart!" "Are you going to carry on wasting time?" "Call that work?" "I can't take it!" "I want to live!" "I want to stop!" "Stop it!" "Are you mad?" "I've had enough of your behavior." "Don't touch me!" "Sit down!" "You've no right!" "Gently, you big bully." "Move, Bernadette." "Colette!" "It's Maria." "Come here!" "Come on, love." "Leave her be!" "Come on, love." "Leave her alone!" "Come on, love, Colette, it's all right." "It's nothing." "Cry!" "That's enough!" "Fit of hysterics." "Probably exhaustion." "Come on, let's stop." " God, it's all they care about." " What with the heat and all." "Right." "It's time to get back to work." "Look, it's an order from management." "Back to your seats." "Very well." "Those who don't want to work..." "I'm going to take your names and report you to management." "Listen carefully..." "No work, no pay." "We don't care." "We're not working." "You're totally insane!" " Get back to your seats!" " No!" " I'll tell management." " Go on then." "Bootlicker!" "We're better off without her." "I'm glad she's off our back." "Stop work, girls." "Don't be intimidated." "They can't treat us like this!" "They want us to go back to work, but nothing has changed." "I'm going to see Boursac to try to obtain a few things." "It's like us last week." "Several girls cracked up because of the rate of production." "Since things are moving in your factory too, we could take action together." "So that all the workshops go out at the same time." "We didn't obtain anything." "We didn't get anywhere." "I reckon you should go for that woman, your foreman, Old Sourpuss." "You should wallop her." "She's the worst." "Because at our place, it's still bearable..." "I wonder what sort of nasty trick we could play on her." "I've got an idea." "We're going to do something rotten." "I hope she'll remember it." " What'll you do?" " What do you suggest?" "You'll do it in the workshop?" "Yeah." "So everyone sees it, joins in." " Get her at the gates." " That'd be the best." "As all the girls come out, we could chuck a bucket of oil in her face." "We'll easily get hold of the oil." "If you lot do that... you'll be seen and given the boot the next day." "I reckon we should use flour." "She'll look a right twerp!" " What a laugh!" "Can I come?" " If you like." "That would be funnier." "It'd be a scream." "Can you see her covered in flour?" "In front of everyone, at the gates." "We'll need quite a few girls." "We'll tell the girls to wait, so they don't leave straightaway." "I agree about the flour, but let's use loads!" "Are you Sourpuss?" "Here's a down payment." "If you're not happy..." "You saw what happened, right?" "The same might happen to you." " Great attitude." " Yes, an excellent attitude." "Not going back to work?" "You'll find other work." "We're on the scrap heap at our age." "Made up your mind, have you?" " She's always on at us!" " She's no different from us!" " The things we put up with!" " Yes, let's go." "You go ahead, we'll follow." "It was foolish." "We'll need the foremen one day!" "Come off it!" "They hardly wear themselves out." "They just sit there twiddling their thumbs." "An hour to get up the stairs." "I was enjoying that." "Hey, you there!" "Get back in the workshops." "All right?" "On form?" "All right, Jacqueline?" "How's things?" "It's time to take action." "I'd like to speak to Mr. Boursac." "How are you, sir?" "There's a group handing out tracts." " Look!" " Overpaid are we?" "To think you were a worker once." "What a cow!" "Boursac here." "There's trouble outside the factory gates..." "Yes." "Lefties no doubt." "That's right..." "Immediately!" "Thank you, Inspector." " The cops!" "Go away." " No, stay here." "We're allowed to hand out tracts." " Let them come." " We have the right." " This is a republic." " Give me one!" "Bastards!" "Leave them alone!" "Serves the bastards right." "Reckon it's worth it, do you?" "You won't get anywhere this way..." "Come on." "Let's go back to work." "It'll never be ironed at that rate." "Hurry up." "Are you going to work?" "Get a move on instead of laughing." "THE REBEL needs to unwind" "Mr. Boursac, production has dropped sharply and there are lots of troublemakers." "I've spoken to the factory foremen." "They think it's going to spread." "Who are the troublemakers?" "Colette Pinton, to the office." "Agnes Duchemin, to the office." "Colette and Agnes have been fired." "The pigs!" "The pigs!" "I'm sick of this!" "I'd rather die than work like this." "Those who don't produce, those who don't work fast, you chuck them out." "You kick them out." " We have to do something." " We'll all go." "We'll all go together." "What's going on?" "We want to talk to Boursac." "We've already got two." "You'll be the third." "I'll call him." "It may take a while." "That's enough!" "We won't give up." " Things will be all right." " Oh, they certainly will!" "Nothing is broken but we must act quickly." "They're difficult to control." "They're holding Boursac." "Comrades!" "Please wait calmly for the results of the negotiations." "You can have faith in us." "We've proved it in the past." "We'll persuade the boss to meet your demands." "You've been saying that for twenty years." " Does he know what we want?" " Don't worry." "He's going to meet with the boss." "Just wait." "That's all we ever do." "Dubreuil, from the union." "He doesn't know our problems." "He doesn't work in an office." "And he's a man!" "Ginette is up there." "She's a woman." "I hope it's not like in '68." "We were really had." "We began with nothing." "In any case, we can't do anything without the union." "We didn't steal our jobs." "When you lose your job in this area, you've had it." "I hope things will sort themselves out." "The union rep won't lose his job." "He might." "He'll easily get another." "Here they are!" " I obtained satisfaction." " Well?" "Let them through." "Tell us now!" "We won't let ourselves be had!" "We're not going to give up!" " Have the girls been rehired?" " They'll be back soon." "Comrades!" "After difficult but fruitful discussions... your main demands have been met." "It is therefore in your best interest to vote in favor of going back to work, in an orderly fashion." "Obviously... your return to work certainly doesn't mean we will abandon the struggle for more important objectives." "But for the time being, the boss was forced to meet your immediate demands." "What about the fired girls?" "The workers... workers with over 20 years' service will obtain a 2.3% rise." "The workers... with 10 to 20 years' service will obtain 1.8%." "What about us?" "The others will obtain a 1.4% rise." "In putting these results to you... we salute your unity..." "He's a good talker!" "At this stage of the workers' struggle, and despite the provocation and the attempts... and the attempts made to divide you..." "Occupation!" "For the fired workers... we have obtained two months' notice." "It is essential we remain on the right side of the law." "Management refuses to negotiate unless you go back to work." "So you have to go back to work." "All together, as a united front." "No!" "Comrades, listen to me." "We can't let ourselves be had." "They've exploited us!" "We demand the two girls be rehired..." "And production reduced." "Let's occupy the factory!" "NO DISMISSALS." "OCCUPIED FACTORY!" "Flunkeys out!" "It's all sculpted." "I don't even have a wardrobe." "Look at this!" "Hey girls, come see what I found." "It's Sourpuss's notebook." "The bitch!" " Is my name in it?" " The names are in red." "She's written all the names in red!" "And added her remarks!" "Look at it." "All our names are in there." "And our mates' names too." "She'll have a hard time when I catch her." "She'll get another bag of flour." " We'll tell our mates." " The bitch has noted everything." "Hey, look at that!" "This is what interests me." "She's had a right field day!" "It doesn't surprise me!" "You can tell she's a cow." "What a bitch!" "What's in there, do you reckon?" "Take a look." " Have you seen this?" " What?" ""We would like to inform you that the price of fabric has changed."" "They increased the price of fabric, but they gave us bugger all." "What a load of swindlers!" "We're going to ransack his office." "If you don't know where to eat, here's an invitation." "It's all right for some!" "Here, there are two, four, six, eight..." "Aren't you afraid?" "You're only women." "It's going to be tough." "Afraid of what?" "There are lots of us, we're united." " What if they try to evict you?" " We're organized." "Let them come, we're ready for them." "Three spoons of milk, which you'll find in the cupboard." "That's in the sideboard." "Plus a spoon of flour." "In all her bottles." "Change her often." "And don't forget to use lotion." "Then you can take them to Mum's in the morning." "Around 6.30." "That way you can have your coffee." "What's going on?" "We're off, otherwise our parents will give us grief." " Are you abandoning us?" " No, we'll be back tomorrow." "Yes, you have to come back." "We're counting on you." " 'Bye girls!" "Good luck!" " Lucky things!" "Goodbye, girls." "See you tomorrow." "This is too important." "I'm staying here." " Who's going to cook my steak?" " Do without a slave for once." "The milk..." "Never mind, it doesn't matter." "Drink, Mounette!" "Come on, drink!" "Don't you want to drink?" "Here!" "Naughty girl!" "Don't play with matches." "Look at what you've done." "Right, go sit over there." "And don't move." "Pick up the potatoes, and put them in here." "Hurry up." "Silly thing!" "More tender!" "Closer!" "Stop saying da-da!" "Come on, girls!" "Boursac, we'll get you!" "Boursac, we'll get you!" "We need more wood for the fire." "I wonder how he got on with the kids." "It's probably a right mess." "At least that way, he'll know what it's like." "Don't you worry." "It doesn't matter." "PICKET DUTY 1st ROUND 2nd ROUND" "Colette..." "It's your turn on the picket line." "You're going to be cold." "Wrap up." "You'll be happy to be back when we've won." "You can go!" "Factory occupied!" "2nd day" "Dominique?" "Your man is here." "Hurry up." "He's waiting." "Why are you talking to her like that?" "Come on, let them in." "We'll look after them." "They know how to make kids but not how to look after them." "You're running really late!" " You're no father!" " They haven't eaten." "I'm going to have to find something for them to eat as well." "Get lost!" "You're annoying me." "Come on, Vincent." "Come with Mummy." "What a handful!" "We'll help you." "Go in." "Leave that." "Don't touch that, love." "How did it go?" "Well done, Daniel." "All right?" "It's nice of you." "Don't forget the ciggies!" "Watch out." "The beans are coming!" "To think we had to have a strike to get to know each other." "With this bloody production, we never have time to talk." "Got any kids?" " Three married, two at home." " Who's looking after them?" "When I get home, I serve them and the old man... because they're incapable of doing anything for themselves." "I can rest easy." "They're at holiday camp." "I'm laughing because I'm thinking of what my man's doing." "He can do without you." "He'll manage." "He'll do the cleaning for once." " It's all right for you." " I'm free." "If only it could last!" "I always have to serve him." " It gives us a break." " He doesn't understand..." " Get him to understand." " You have to teach them." "Are you thirsty, girls?" " My cup's gone!" " You'd better find another." " Just a bit." " Don't put it in there." "I don't have a glass." "Who's on the picket line tonight?" "I am." "I haven't seen Michel for a week." "We haven't spent a night together." "I'm so knackered when I get home." "We can't even talk." "You're not the only one." "My man does nightshifts." "Sometimes, he comes home when I'm leaving..." "Sometimes, it's the other way round." "It's called fucking in passing." "It's no fun." "Eight hours slaving away To keep those pigs at bay" "We can't take much more crap One day we'll get our own back" " Let's do it again." " How does it go again?" "Eight hours slaving away To keep those pigs at bay" "We can't take much more crap One day we'll get our own back..." "The boss..." "Hold on..." "The husband replaces the boss." "We get home to find Our man and boss are two of a kind" "The foremen... with the girls." "The foremen put their grubby paws In the girls' lacy drawers" "The deputies scream and shout They tell us we're layabouts" "Bloody little Hitler With your teeny-weeny pen" "There's no time to have a drink..." "There's no time for a drink" " With them, we're on the brink..." " In this godforsaken hole" "We're always bloody knackered We won't take this crap any more" "All right, let's do it again." "We've no time to have a drink In this godforsaken hole" "In twenty years we'll be buggered We've had all we can bloody take" "They will all be terrified!" "There'll be no one to piss us off We'll be able to have a laugh" "Free at last..." "The monkey is in the cage..." "Come in and you shall see The monkey is no longer free" "You have to go see the farmers..." "We told you!" "We've done collections." "What more do you want?" " Money." " What about your posters?" "I thought you were going to stick them up." " I spent all night doing it!" " What do you mean?" "Why didn't you tell us?" "We got bollocked." "You didn't even tell us you'd stuck them up." "Just go look!" " Calm down!" " I'm bound to be annoyed." " It's always the same." " Come on." "Don't shout..." "Don't get worked up." "Go to the factories by the school." "The guys from my factory haven't seen them." "Where did you put them?" "The guys didn't see them." "They must have been on the wrong side of the road!" "I'll give you these potatoes." "Instead of chucking them out, you might as well have them." " We'll come back." " All the girls thank you." " Yes." "I can supply milk." " How much is it per liter?" "Seeing as you're on strike," "I'll sell it you for the price the dairy pays me." "In other words, 52.95 centimes." "That's nothing!" "We have to pay 1.20 franc per liter." "What a difference!" "There's a big difference between the consumer and the producer." " We've got all the little ones." " You can eat them too." "Well!" "When you have them, you'll see." "Don't forget to remove the eyes." "What's all this?" "Have you all gone mad?" "This is an office, not a nursery." "You could have put your kids somewhere else." "You might have asked my permission." " It isn't on." " Don't tell us what to do." " Who is she after now?" " She's making me giddy." "I'm going to cut my spuds into squares." "What are we having tonight?" "Chips or mash?" "No." "We're having pasta." "Pasta with potatoes?" "That sounds tasty!" "I've been thinking." "I'm going to negotiate with Boursac." "That's all you can say!" "Look where it got us." " Don't try to hit us!" " We're waiting for you." "Hello, Mr. Henri?" "This is Boursac." "Yes, of course." "Tonight." "You'll get the envelope tomorrow." "But don't come to my place." "You don't smoke?" "How lucky you are" "It means life is cushy for you" "Tobacco is the balm of suffering" "Smoking lightens the load There's alcohol too" "But don't mention that tipple It sends our heads spinning" "Titine was an old soak who sold her soul for a pint of gin" "It's my morphine, it's my coke" "It's my own little vice" "Take a bit of baccy in your fingers" "And roll it up" "It's strong, it's acrid like wood" "It intoxicates you" "It's good and it leaves a strange taste" "Of blood, love and disgust in your mouth" "I won't go on." "You can ask me to sing another." " That one's really pretty." " When is it from?" "Oh, it's very old." "From before 1936." "Way before!" "I first heard it sung when I was 18 or 20." "It takes me back." "It's an old song." " What happened in '36?" " It was like this but less violent." "We occupied the factories too." "Nobody worked." "We stopped the motors." "When those who wanted to work saw it was useless, everybody but everybody stopped." "Just like that?" "No." "It took two days for the factory to stop completely." "It was at a standstill." "Did you switch off the machines?" "No." "We stopped the motor at the entrance to the room." "If anyone wanted to work, we stopped the motors." "There were less and less, and after two days... everybody had downed tools." "There were picket lines." "We'd sit in a corner chatting." "The men manned the picket lines at night." "Never the women?" "They've broken a window." "Over there, quick!" "The dormitory." "Watch out." "Carefully..." "What does he want?" " I've come to prevent trouble." " He's a cop!" "There were gunshots yesterday." "Vacate the premises." "Is that why he sent you?" "We're tired of your crap!" "It's always the same." "Get lost!" "Boursac said he'd kick us out." "We said we'd burn this place down." "Before I was nothing." "I spoke to no-one." "Good morning, goodnight." "I lived alone with the kids." "When Jules came home, I'd set the table." "I've discovered a new world." "A different world." "A different way of life." "A way of life we've chosen for ourselves." "It's a break with the past." "Life will never be the same." "Tight-fisted bastards!" "Profiteers!" "Scum!" " We have to stand our ground!" " We will." "Look at old Elodie." "She's coping." "Why not the young ones?" "I'll keep going." "Finish your food quickly." "It's your turn on the picket line." " Wait, I'm smoking my ciggy." " Five more minutes." " I'll bring you a coffee." " I should hope so." "Do you like it strong?" "I'll cope." "Don't worry." "So long as you bring me a coffee." "I'll finish this fag and go." " They're stupid cows." " Go on, lads." "Take that, you bastard!" "Bastards!" "Wait, Annie." "Scum!" "Scum!" "We almost copped it from the fascists and the cops." "But we got them." "We weren't alone, thank God." "Metalworkers with us women!" "Workers!" "Peasants!" "Same struggle!" "Same fight!" "Students with us!" "Who's responsible for all this?" "It's Boursac." "It's the boss." "He's the one who called the cops!" "He's a fascist." "Boursac!" "Bastard!" "The people will get you!" "Mr. Boursac, could you answer a few questions, please?" "I'd be glad to." "A conflict began in your factory some time ago." "Could you briefly explain the reasons?" "You have to look at the current climate." "In other words..." "We're enduring the aftermath of May '68." "And because of this..." "all sorts of things are happening." "Nevertheless, we intend to try... to meet the demands that have been put to us." "I think we will manage." "Do you get the impression that it's a spontaneous movement or was it planned well in advance by outsiders?" "According to the information we have received, it would seem that it is not only a question of... the usual union involvement, but we also believe that... some troublemakers have infiltrated the unions." "And, of course, they're doing their best to aggravate the situation." "What have you got to say about the dismissals?" "As regards the recent dismissals," "I can assure you everything was done in accordance with the law." "I think the conflict will soon be resolved." "We are reporting on the events at the Boursac factories." "We have interviewed the owner and the factory inspectorate." "We would now like to hear what the other party has to say." "Does your union believe the conflict is really dramatic?" "It's serious." "But not as dramatic as certain individuals would have us believe." "Our position is very clear." "We wish to renegotiate." "We've already made this known." "But I'd like to take this opportunity to inform Mr. Boursac of our desire." "There is a certain apathy but you have to put yourself in the girls' shoes." "After three weeks, it's still the same." "Occupation, occupation!" "It's getting tiring." "We'll have to find another form of struggle." "Strikes like this are useless." "It won't work." "We'll have to catch the boss..." "We have to do something stronger." "We were stupid to have let him go." "We were really had!" "If everyone agrees," "I reckon we should capture the boss once and for all." "And this time, we won't let him go." "It's worked in other companies." "It's the best way of continuing the struggle." "He finds it funny to think of us languishing in his factory." "He knows we can't go on like this." "Meanwhile, his stocks and shares are earning him interest." "But if it's a question of his life, he'll change his tune." "In companies where bosses were taken hostage the organizers often suffered serious repercussions." "Did they cop it when they kidnapped the boss?" "Yes, because not everyone supported them." "But I think everyone here agrees." "They'll never be able to attack everyone." " Here's the union." " Open the door, please." "Listen, this isn't on." "You have to open the door." " Oh, Ginette!" "This isn't right!" " We should discuss it, at least." "We've already had problems with them." "We're going to get done again." "Comrades!" "I've just had a talk with management." "Mr. Boursac informed me that he was willing to renegotiate." "We didn't have time to consult you." "Following our discussion, here are your boss's new proposals." "These proposals seem significant to us." "They mark a change in management's attitude." "A 5% rise for all!" "One hour's less work per week for the same pay!" "Whereas..." "Whereas the initial concessions were wholly insufficient." "Liar!" "You said they were good." "We believe it is important to point out that we believe these new proposals to be very positive." "Considering this remarkable victory, you must vote in favor!" "You've been on strike for three weeks, don't forget." "You have to know when to stop!" "Furthermore... thanks to your unity... to your sangfroid... to your sense of responsibility," "the negotiations have been fruitful." "We'd like to draw your attention to the fact that certain irresponsible elements... with their subversive actions, risk giving the police an excuse to intervene." "Be careful, comrades!" "You must pronounce yourselves in favor as soon as possible by a vote... which will indicate that you refuse to follow this adventurist path that can but harm the workers' cause." "We suggest that this vote, in order to respect the democratic rules, take the form of a secret ballot!" "Absolutely!" "All right!" "He's right!" "Look, this is what I think of your card." "Girls, Boursac is up there!" "Your flunkeys have just been kicked out." "What's all this?" "Get out of my office!" " You'll stay until you give in." " It'll give you time to think." "I've nothing to add to my latest proposals." "You're going to stay here with us." "Hold on, girls." "We can't leave him here." "No one can see him." "Let's put him in the glass cage." "He's going around in circles." "He's getting annoyed." "He's smoking, putting on airs." "He's getting wild in there." " He's having a ball." " Makes a change!" "He's enjoying going around in circles." "It's funny, he doesn't look happy at all." ""Boss!" "Telephone!"" ""A stupid jerk has picked it up!"" "Hello, Boursac." "Have you had a think?" "The bastard hung up!" "You'd love a ciggy, wouldn't you?" " Do you have any cigarettes?" " Are you mad?" "We're not allowed to smoke in the workshops!" "Give him one anyway!" "Oh, he's like a snappy little dog." "We're not allowed to smoke." "Serves him right!" "Do we smoke when we work?" "Hostage-taking at Boursac" "Boursac taken hostage by his workers" "Strike at Boursac factories spreading" "Could I have a drink?" "Sir wants a drink." "What shall we give him?" "Shall we give him something?" "A Cinzano?" "A little pastis on the rocks." "Bourbon with salt." "A small whisky." "A mint tea!" "There you go!" "He's spineless, this man!" "Please!" "You're supposed to say please." "I've eaten well, I've had a drink My belly is full" "Thank you, Infant Jesus" "I've eaten well, I've had a drink" "My belly is full" "Thank you, Infant Jesus" "I went to have a look around, to try out the armchairs." " Good visit, was it?" " Absolutely!" "I bet he never had a sore bum!" "I'd like to go to the toilet." "Wait for your replacement." "On the assembly line, we have to wait for a replacement." "Drop it." "He'll be even harder afterwards." "We won't be allowed to pee." "No, things are going to change!" "He's really angry." "He's all white." "He's fading fast." "The poor love." "Please, I need a toilet." "Shall we make an effort?" " He'll have to wipe it up!" " We'll give him a bucket." "We'll have to clean it..." "Here, Boursac!" "You'll have to clean it, there are no char ladies." "Too small, is it?" "You'll have to make do with it." "Do you want it or not?" "Take pity on him." "He never took pity on us!" "It hurts your tummy..." "Were we allowed to pee when we were on the floor?" "You don't have to be as nasty as him." " Hi, lads." " Hi, Jerome." "It's great." "In our factory, all the lads stopped work out of solidarity." "That's fantastic." "And the marvelous thing is... the lads didn't think the girls would hold out." " Hi." "All right?" " Fine." "And you?" "Not bad." "It's great in the area." "Everyone's talking about the strike." "We've been doing more collections, sticking up posters everywhere, chatting with the shopkeepers." "I was telling my mates that no one returned to work after lunch." "We stayed in the yard." "Everyone was shouting, "Solidarity with the girls!"" "I think a demonstration is being organized." "I hope Trouillier gives in because all hell's going to break loose." "Everyone is up in arms." " A bit of bread?" " Do you want the skin?" " No?" " In any case, you know..." "We've got time to eat now!" "We're used to eating sandwiches." "With butter." "Fancy some?" "We can't afford steak every day on our pay." "Whereas, at the end of the year, every night even, he has a right old feast!" "We can't afford such things on our pay." "We have to do loads of overtime!" "We don't drive Cadillacs!" "We have to do overtime if we want to treat ourselves." "And we don't even have time to make ourselves some food." "He'd rather go hungry." "He won't ask for anything." "But things will be different soon." "I can feel it." " In a day or two..." " We're going to have him." "He'll ask us for a bit of dry bread." "We're going to get him." "We'll wear him down." " He's thirsty!" " Banana!" "That's good!" "Chuck him the skin!" "Tap my back, I'm choking." " Here, give him this." " A bit of pig's skin!" "Is there any left on it?" "If you have good teeth..." "Go on, Elodie, make a gesture." "Well done!" "Of course, it may not be very big but..." "Kill the pigs!" "Boursac!" "Reactionary!" "Boursac, in my arms..." "I whisper in his ear" "I tell him all my woes" "I sleep with Boursac in my arms" "I sleep with Boursac in my arms" "Every night, I whisper in his ear" "You wouldn't catch me sleeping with old Boursac!" "He's a lazy git." "He's always knackered." "Need a bed, Boursac?" "Want some needles and wool to do your knitting?" "He's gone to sleep." "Hey, don't fall asleep!" "Metalworkers with the women!" "Hello?" "This is Portat, the prefect." "Can you hear me, Mr. Boursac?" "Whatever possessed you to get mixed up in all this?" "Right, listen to me." "I'd like to help, but headquarters is against it." "Things look bad." "The strike is spreading, and there are worrying movements everywhere." "So for the time being, negotiate." "How do you expect me to send the riot squad into a factory occupied by women?" "In the event of a clash, can you imagine the field day our opponents would have?" "So let's just negotiate." "Besides, we'll give you the names of the troublemakers whom you may not have identified." "Stay calm." "And later on..." "I'll trust you to make the distinction between the healthy and the less healthy elements in your factory." "But believe me..." "I'm very serious about this..." "Negotiate!" "Besides, we've no choice at present." "Goodbye, my dear chap." "Workers, peasants, comrades!" "Boursac!" "Bastard!" "The people will get you!" "Here's the man who is responsible for all your misery!" "The girls who are overcome by the heat, who have fits of hysterics." "We're not even allowed to pee." "And all that for who?" "For a bastard like him." "I hope these four days have given you food for thought." "Firstly, reintegrate the two girls who were fired." "Improve our working conditions." "And give us all a pay rise!" "What have you got to say?" "You won't have time to laze about in the sun!" "Say something!" "Answer me!" "I hate you!" "You landed my mate in hospital." "Bastard!" "Answer me!" "Defend yourself!" "Boursac!" "To the assembly line!" "You thought we were only women." "But you were forced to give in." "Agnes and Colette will stay with us." "Things will be different now." "We'll have a say." "Your foremen aren't so arrogant." "And for good reason!" "No more of your secret negotiations." "You'll have to accept what we impose." "We know you haven't swallowed your sequestration." "We know you'll try to fire workers." "You and your press cried scandal." "You called on the law." "But your law is to sequestrate workers from the moment they are hired until the end of the tunnel, where the chrysanthemums grow." "Our law is justice for the people." "It's a knife to your throat." "You'll try to eliminate what you call the troublemakers." "Don't forget that our great victory is the unity we forged with our own strength." "Unity with our husbands, who are now aware of our struggle, unity with the other factories." "Our fight has spread." "And maybe, one day, it will end in bloodshed." "Don't forget, the important thing is not your measures." "The most important thing is what has changed in our minds." "We have taken the right to speak, to take action." "Rights that you bosses have denied us, to make us more subservient." "And we shall fight for those rights with violence, to conquer them, to keep them until the day you don't have any more." "Subtitles" " Eclair Group"