3-028-666 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Workmen at the Creuzot Ironworks, Burgundy, 1870. Workers at '...the great manufacturing establishment of Messrs. Schneider and Co., at Creuzot [ie Le Creusot],...where more than 10,000 men are constantly employed in one grand industrial concern. In presenting [another] sketch of the appearance of the Creuzot workpeople, stray groups of whom, with the women of their families, are frequently to be seen talking over the state of affairs, we regret to observe that another partial strike took place there last week; but it was confined to the miners in two of the coalpits, which are named the St. Peter and St. Paul. They had given no warning, made no complaint, and asked for no increase of wages; it is thought, indeed, that the movement was caused by political agitators...M. Schneider, who is, our readers know, President of the Legislative Assembly, had an interview with the Emperor before starting from Paris for Creuzot. The miners in two of the pits, Isolé and Long Pendu, requested the protection of the troops against their unruly comrades of the St. Peter and St. Paul pits. Several of these were arrested; and on the Friday, all the pits, as well as the foundry and the machine-shops, were again in work. No further disturbance has been reported'. From "Illustrated London News, 1870.