Achille Blondeau

Achille Blondeau (9 July 1925 – 21 September 2019) was a French Trade Unionist, miner and general secretary of the National Federation of Miners from 1968 to 1980. He took part in major strikes in 1941, 1948 and 1963. Blondeau was also a member of the French Communist Party and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943.

Early life Blondeau was born on the 9th of July 1925 in Auby. Both his father and grandfather were both miners.

In 1937, he graduated primary school with first class honours. In September 1943, prisoners in Huy who had not been tried were brought back to France to face trial. As General Secretary, Blondeau participated in discussions and decisions which shaped the strike and its outcome.

Death and legacy Blondeau died at age 94 on the 21st of September 2019 in Cap-Ferret. In 2006, Pierre Outteryck published a biography on Blondeau titled Achille Blondeau: Mineur résistant déporté syndicaliste.

Selected works