“Revolutionary heartbeat” doesn’t even begin to describe what happened within these walls. We are standing before the Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio. It is located on Calle Laureles in the La Teja neighborhood. This building holds a story of resistance, unity, and the enduring spirit of the working class.
In August 1943, the Federación Obrera de la Industria del Vidrio was founded. It played a key role in the creation of the Convención Nacional de Trabajadores. This was a pivotal moment for organized labor in Uruguay. The Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio became a hub of activity.
Picture this. It is June 27, 1973. The air is thick with tension. A clandestine meeting is underway inside the Federación’s headquarters. Leaders of the CNT gather in secret. They are determined to put into action a resolution from 1964. This resolution stated that if a coup d’état occurred, unions would resist. They would launch a general strike. Workers would occupy their workplaces. This bold decision would echo throughout the nation.
The civic-military dictatorship soon clamped down. The Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio was outlawed. Its members faced persecution. The building was seized by the “fuerzas conjuntas”. This was a dark chapter in the Federación’s history.
But the spirit of resistance could not be extinguished. After the dictatorship ended, the building was returned to its rightful owners. The workers of the glass industry reclaimed their space. Since then, the building has served a different purpose. It became the rehearsal space for Diablos Verdes. This “murga” group was born from the glassworkers’ union. The Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio transitioned from a union hall to a cultural center.
Time took its toll on the old building. Its infrastructure suffered from neglect. Urgent action was needed to restore this historic space. Neighbors and former activists united. They formed an association to revitalize the building.
This association included retired glassworkers and other local retirees. They worked to secure funding and support. The “Banco de Previsión Social” contributed funds for the renovation. The Ministry of Transport and Public Works also joined the effort. The goal was to transform the Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio. It would become a cultural and social center for the community.
A special dedication was planned. The renovated space would be named “Local Antonio Iglesias – Raul Gansio”. This was in memory of the union’s late president and the founder of Diablos Verdes. It also honored Raul Gansio. He was a martyr of the glass industry. He was murdered with eight other communist workers in 1972.
The Ex Federación de Obreros de la Industria del Vidrio stands as a testament to the power of collective action. It embodies the enduring legacy of Uruguay’s labor movement. It is now a place of memory, culture, and community. It keeps the spirit of those who fought for a better future alive.