elf resistance

RUNNING FOR RESULT - JUNE, 25, 1999

Since June, 10, runners, walkers and cyclists turn around the ELF Jean Feger Center. Although beginning with a nice sheltered alley, the circle is not exactly a pleasure : a long flat bitumen way under the full summer sun, with a lot of vehicles, turn to the gravel exploitation and garbage plant, then back up to the center and at last the lunch table in front of the main gates.

Why are they turning ? Not in hope of moving our managers or president, as once suggested a reporter. Only to make the conflict be known outside. From cars, seeing continuously between 7 a m and 7 p m people in T-shirts around ELF make suspect something uncommon must occur there. Also, strikers may show that way their determination to non-strikers. Although the race is open to anybody, it found little success amongst non-strikers.

Running for results says our first slogan, a clear expression of the will of the workers to resume the strike at last. While the Unions discuss with the Management (another type of marathon...), the salaries engage through this physical implication. Physical is the right term, for regular runners make up to four, five, may be ten turns, under rain or often heat. Some came recently, a good idea just before holidays.

They run for twelve days now. How many turn on the whole ? Twelve hours a day, running at about 10 km/h makes 720 turns, more than 1,400 km. This is theoretical, for some walk, some use cycles or rollers, and a runner is only seldom alone. More than ten is not unusual. A lot of calories, some tendinitis as well...

How long will we turn still, you may ask ? Who knows...