Difficultés et lenteurs de l'assimilation des ardoisiers au régime minier (1886-1920)

Abstract

The question of whether or not to assimilate the slate-quarry workers to the advantages obtained over the years by the coal miners, is discussed in a general context of debates and of bills passing the different european parliaments on social welfare. France is behind England and Germany in this particular field, but makes some progress at the end of the XIXe Century. From 1894 to 1920, the slate-quarry workers, among whom Ludovic Ménard is very active, fight to obtain from the authorities the benefits given to the coal-miners, especially concerning old-age pensions. But this assimilation is rejected by the manufacturers, by the public works administration, the different governments and the parliament, who all fear that if the slate-quarry workers are given satisfaction, their example will incite other categories of manual workers to ask for the same advantages. Despite this opposition the slate-quarry workers obtain what they have been claiming for a quarter of a century, on the 30th April 1920.