doi:10.7916/txy2-0q86Oral history interview with Houcine Abassi, 2016Abassi, Houcineoral historiesmixed materialLabor union membersArab Spring, 2010-Revolutions--TunisiaReconciliation--Political aspects--TunisiaDemocratization--TunisiaLabor unions--TunisiaLabor unions--Political activity--TunisiaTunisia History Demonstrations, 2010-Tunisia Politics and government 2011-Abassi, HoucineIttiḥād al-ʻĀmm al-Tūnisī lil-ShughlHoucine Abassi describes the Tunisian independence movement and ensuing state-building initiatives as a social revolution. He speaks to transformations in values, aspirations and economic conditions in post-colonial Tunisia, from the vantage point of a primary school in Kairouan affiliated with Habib Bourguiba's Destour Party. He narrates the changing role of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) in a one-party system that grew increasingly autocratic; and its necessary coexistence with a "tyrant" before the revolution, in order to continue serving Tunisian citizens. The UGTT researched imbalances in regional development. The revolution came as a surprise, but the UGTT continued to work with the civil society coalitions it had built prior to regime change. Abassi then discusses attempts during the transition to drive a wedge between Islamists and secularists. The assassinations of Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi in 2013 motivated the creation of the Quartet to accelerate the national dialogue. Abassi describes the Quartet's process, detailing both private and public meetings and the absence of media coverage therein. He acknowledges that these processes gained international recognition, and comments on political parties' roles. He explains the Troika government's failures. Finally, he discusses the singularity of the Tunisian experience, and key elements of democracy in general