Forging class consciousness through strikes: Maruti Suzuki workers’ struggle for union rights in India

Abstract

Strikes are the most ubiquitous form of class struggle in capitalism, with effects that extend beyond just obtaining concessions from employers. They play a crucial role in shaping workers’ class consciousness by exposing the inherent contradictions of capitalism and demonstrating the potential for solidarity among workers. The article examines how strikes influence workers’ consciousness, with a specific focus on the three wildcat strikes that took place in 2011 at Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the largest car manufacturer in India. In their struggle for an independent union, Maruti workers engaged in collective action, and in the process, transformed their consciousness in a non-linear manner.