Strike in Croatia's TIVAR Factory, 1936

Contributed by Luka Pejić (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek)

In the textile industry of Yugoslavia between the two world wars, the majority of the workforce consisted of women. Poor working conditions in these factories led to a series of strikes, which can be characterized as "women's strikes" due to the predominance of female workers. In 1935, the Varaždin Textile Industry (TIVAR) employed 1,850 workers, of whom 1,000 were women. The following year, the total number of employees increased to 2,300.

At the end of April 1936, work at the TIVAR factory in Varaždin was suspended as more than 2,000 workers went on strike. The event was referred to as the "white headscarf strike" due to the color of the headscarves worn by the female workers. The United Union of Sewing and Garment Workers of Yugoslavia played a crucial role in organizing the strike.

The workers were striking for several reasons, including low wages and the unequal treatment of women compared to their male counterparts, as women received less pay for performing the same work. Additionally, the workers demanded the signing of a collective agreement to address various issues, such as the establishment of a minimum wage.

Eventually, workers managed to secure a collective agreement, with a wage increase of 5% to 30%. They celebrated their success with a procession through Varaždin, chanting slogans and singing workers' songs. Additionally, the strike received strong public support, and this action significantly influenced the development of the trade union movement in Croatia.

Anka Butorac, a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia and a prominent trade unionist who was frequently arrested for her activism, was instrumental during the strike. Unfortunately, six years later, Butorac was tortured and killed by the Ustaše during World War II.

The strike at the TIVAR factory lasted for several weeks. Despite the employers hiring strikebreakers, the workers remained committed to their demands. They blocked the factory's entrance to prevent the strikebreakers from entering. During the strike, solidarity from the community became evident. Peasants from nearby villages sent food to support the workers, and the workers assisted one another through contributions from the union treasury.

Eventually, workers managed to secure a collective agreement, with a wage increase of 5% to 30%. They celebrated their success with a procession through Varaždin, chanting slogans and singing workers' songs. Additionally, the strike received strong public support, and this action significantly influenced the development of the trade union movement in Croatia.

Further Reading

• Ana Rajković, Dugi ženski marš - Položaj radnica i ženski aktivizam u Hrvatskoj između dvaju svjetskih ratova (Zagreb, 2021)
• Marija Šoljan, Žene Hrvatske u radničkom pokretu – do aprila hiljadu devedsto četrdeset prve (Zagreb, 1967)