7 Tocqueville, a Phenomenology of the Social

The 1974 Ethiopian Revolution and the Confederation of Ethiopian Labour Unions (CELU)

“…The list also included some of the demands of the civil left: free education, price control, temporary employment, job opportunities and priority and the formation of new unions. 5 The outbreak of the revolution and the subsequent general strike helped CELU to organize a number of local unions and increase its membership. In this regard, Seleshi noted that by early February 1974, the CELU had 161 affiliated unions with a total of 55,216 due paying members and about 40,000 potential members.…”

“…He described the political questions raised in the general strike as simply general issues. 5 Ottaway and Lefort also argued that the CELU was not attracted to radical reform, but aimed only to fulfill its corporate interests and increase its bargaining power. 6 Ottaway further emphasized that "...the CELU leadership was clearly not yet interested in launching a revolutionary labour movement."…”

“…In its letter, the General Council stressed that if the government did not solve the problems by the end of August, it would submit the matter to the General Council, which will meet in early September, to take further strict decisions, including a general strike. 5 At this time also the president of CELU, Beyene Solomon, after many years of service and of course before the expiration of his third term, submitted a letter of resignation to the General Council because of personal problems for the coming February 1975. 6…”

“…It was from these sections of the popular masses that the boldest and most sustained challenges to the age-old monarchy emanated. 5 The causes and the course of the Ethiopian revolution have been described in a very illuminating way by a number of writers. Therefore, this article limited itself mainly to assessing the impact of the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution on CELU as one of the major actors during the revolution.…”

“…4 For example, Article 22, subsection C of the decree states, "...employers' associations and labour unions shall not pursue political aims or engage in any political activities." 5 As a result, any labour movement undertaken by the labour unions was interpreted in political terms and easily suppressed by the government. As a result, the CELU's struggle to improve socioeconomic benefits for its members and strengthen its bargaining power through a general strike could not be realized until the outbreak of the 1974 revolution.…”