Oreste Capocci (13 May 1888 – 29 October 1950) was a French 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. 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 (, SFIO) was a major socialist political party in France which was founded in 1905 and succeeded in 1969 by the present Socialist Party. The SFIO was founded in 1905 as the French representativ ...

(SFIO), becoming one of its leading youth activists in Paris. Capocci served during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

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. Immediately after the

Liberation of France The liberation of France () in the Second World War was accomplished through diplomacy, politics and the combined military efforts of the Allied Powers, Free French forces in London and Africa, as well as the French Resistance. Nazi Germany in ...

, 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 (, or simply , FO), is one of the five major union confederations in France. In terms of following, it is the third behind the CGT and the CFDT. Force Ouvrière was founded in 1948 by former ...

, 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 International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees, serving until 1949, when he became vice-president. He died in 1950.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Capocci, Oreste 1888 births 1950 deaths Trade unionists from Paris