Robert Dussart, a Workers' History of the ACEC in Charleroi (FR)

Saturday, 11th of July - 10:00 - 13:00

Adrian Thomas, Antonio Cocciolo

Language: French

Robert Dussart (1921-2011) embodied a type of class struggle unionism, original, combative, and autonomous. His journey intersects with the history of the ACEC. The large factory was somewhat the soul of the Pays Noir. When the ACEC sneezed, Charleroi caught a cold, it was said of this important union stronghold.

Historian Adrian Thomas will first present his book on Robert Dussart, awarded the Prix CArCoB 2021. Beyond the life of the main delegate of the ACEC, this work is a dive into the social history of Charleroi, the regional FGTB, and the Communist Party of Belgium, from the beginning of the 20th century to very recently.

The course will be presented by Antonio Cocciolo. Main delegate of Caterpillar and then president of the FGTB-Charleroi and the MWB Hainaut-Namur, he knew him well and considers him an inspiration.