ABSTRACT

The 1898 suppression of white phosphorous in the French match industry was a victory of organized labour. At a time when most French workers did not have the power to effect changes in the health and safety conditions of their work, the match workers succeeded. At a time when most French women were not unionised and did not pursue effective action on occupational health problems, French women in the match industry succeeded. This book, first published in 1989, examines their actions and provides the definitive account of their success.

chapter III|25 pages

Demography: a profile of the match workers

chapter IV|44 pages

The union struggle 1888-1895: Four strikes

chapter VI|13 pages

The limits of the medical profession