Switzerland World War II Quarry Strike, 1943 (b/w photo)

In the quarry of the “Steinbruche und Hartschotterwerke AG” of the community Ringgenberg near Interlaken there was a strike in December 1942, which led to a dismissal of all employees. The work was stopped and the operators presented the workers with a form to sign, which stipulated the resumption of work and a wage of 1.45 Fr. for the whole year 1943. Due to constant inflation, however, the workers did not want their wages to be fixed in advance for the entire year. Zaesar Rossi, on the right, brother of the mine owner and a henchman in the company, in conversation with Arthur Burtschi, the machine master in the quarry, taken up in May 1943 in the year of war. After the strike, Burtschi's son no longer took up work and now works in the Valais for 10 Rp. less an hour.