Phantasm (1979)
On this day, 16 May 1920, workers at Knocklong creamery in County Limerick declared a soviet and established workers’ control of production. They prepared for the takeover by arranging deals for milk with local farmers and contracts to sell their butter with retailers. They hoisted a red flag and a tricolour and for five days they continued production under the slogan “We make butter not profits.” They returned control to the owners in exchange for reduced hours, better pay, and the replacement of a hated manager. The success of their revolt inspired similar actions by employees at other businesses owned by the Cleeves family, including in Bruree, where a soviet was declared in 1921.
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