The Lip affair refers to a significant labor strike that occurred at the Lip watchmaking factory in Besançon, Doubs, France. Initiated in the early 1970s, this protracted struggle continued until mid-1976 and mobilized tens of thousands of participants across France and Europe. A notable event during this period was the Lip march on September 29, 1973, which attracted over 100,000 demonstrators.
Several factors contributed to the scale of this workers' struggle. Among these was the introduction of "self-management", a novel approach in which striking workers took control of production within the factory, operating independently and producing watches that were subsequently sold at unauthorized sales events. The political dimensions of the affair also played a role, prompting government intervention to address potential nationwide labor unrest.
The Lip affair marked a transformative moment in the trade union movement, signifying the rise of spontaneous grassroots movements that garnered extensive media coverage. This period produced a substantial amount of press and film content, which included various portrayals of the company's management and shareholders.[1]