Among the group's leaders were
Antonio Negri,
Nanni Balestrini,
Franco Piperno,
Oreste Scalzone and
Valerio Morucci, who led its clandestine armed wing. It was part of the "workerist" movement (
operaismo), leading to the later development of the
autonomist movement. Potere Operaio's main sphere of operations was in factories, especially big factories in the industrial North, and publishing newspapers and leaflets. It sought to base its Marxist theory on the everyday life of supposedly revolutionary factory workers. Potere Operaio officially ceased to exist on 3 June 1973. Most of its core members went on to be involved in
Autonomia Operaia, signalling the shift from operaismo to autonomism. Some of the leaders later drifted towards more radical groups such as the
Red Brigades, including Morucci and
Adriana Faranda, who took part in the
Moro murder. Negri was arrested in the late 1970s, accused of being the leader of the Red Brigades, before being cleared of charges. Oreste Scalzone also was arrested, in connection with violent acts. Ex-member Achille Lollo died in August 2021. He had been sentenced for murder and arson for his role in the
Primavalle fire, along with two other members of the group. Potere Operaio should not be confused with "Potere Operaio Pisano" which was one of the components of a competing revolutionary group,
Lotta Continua. == See also ==