Oreste Capocci (13 May 1888 – 29 October 1950) was a
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
trade unionist.
Born in Paris, Capocci worked as a tailor, then as a sales representative. In 1907, he joined the Socialist Revolutionary Youth, soon becoming its secretary in the
19th arrondissement
The 19th arrondissement of Paris (''XIXe arrondissement'') is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is referred to as ''dix-neuvième''.
The arrondissement, known as Butte-Chaumont, i ...
. He was called up for military service, but attended anti-military meetings, and was imprisoned for this. On release, he joined the Young Revolutionary Guard, winning election to its executive committee, then joined the
French Section of the Workers' International
The French Section of the Workers' International (french: Section française de l'Internationale ouvrière, SFIO) was a political party in France that was founded in 1905 and succeeded in 1969 by the modern-day Socialist Party. The SFIO was found ...
(SFIO), becoming one of its leading youth activists in Paris.
Capocci served during
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and immediately abandoned his anti-war stance, remaining a member of the SFIO, but arguing that it should focus on conditions after the war. He became associated with the right-wing of the party, and in 1920, was their successful candidate for a place on the executive of the Federation of Employees' Unions. In 1921, he became the general secretary of a union representing workers in small shops in Paris. When the left-wing of the union movement split away, he remained loyal to the federation, and in 1923, he was elected to the executive of the
General Confederation of Labour (CGT). In 1929, he was elected as general secretary of the Federation of Employees, and he remained in the post when the left-wing rejoined.
The unions were dissolved in 1940, and Capocci found work with the Social Insurance Union. He joined the Economic and Trade Union Studies Committee, and publicly opposed the Labor Charter, an action which won him the
Medal of the Resistance
The Resistance Medal (french: Médaille de la Résistance) was a decoration bestowed by the French Committee of National Liberation, based in the United Kingdom, during World War II. It was established by a decree of General Charles de Gaulle on 9 ...
. Immediately after the
Liberation of France, the unions were reconstituted, and Capocci returned to his post as general secretary. In 1946, he was also elected to the executive of the SFIO.
Capocci remained opposed to the communist leadership of the CGT, and he was a leading activist in founding
Workers' Force
The General Confederation of Labor - Workers' Force (french: Confédération Générale du Travail - Force Ouvrière, or simply , FO), is one of the five major union confederations in France. In terms of following, it is the third behind the CGT ...
, as an alternative. He served on its executive from its formation, in 1947, and led the majority of his union into the new federation. That year, he also won election as president of the
, serving until 1949, when he became vice-president. He died in 1950.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Capocci, Oreste
1888 births
1950 deaths
Trade unionists from Paris