A day earlier, a meeting of all the railway workers is called. And in the meeting, all the union officials speak in favour of the strike. In the end, a resolution is reached that the strike should begin the next day.
The strike is welcomed by a strict reaction by the colonial masters who deploy armed soldiers to force the workers to be back at work. During the clash between the soldiers and the workers, eight men are killed and several men, women and apprentices are wounded.
The following day, Bachirou, a worker in the staff office, addresses the directors of the union who have reconvened in a new headquarters set up in the office of the Inspector of Works. Bachirou tells them not to confront any soldier and in the meantime, another meeting is rescheduled for the next day after the funeral services of the fallen men.