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The Confederation of Free Trade Unions (CSL) was a French trade union confederation created in the 1950s. It was considered close to employers and comprised trade unionists from right-wing and far-right collaborationist networks. Initially called the Confédération française du travail (CFT), it changed its name in 1977 following public outrage after a unionist was killed by CFT members. The CSL dissolved in 2002. It was primarily active in the automobile industry, the postal service, and the city administration of Paris.

History

The French Confederation of Labor (1959–1977)

Post-war period

In 1947, the Confederation of Independent Labor (CTI) was founded but suffered from power struggles and splits. The CTI included former communist unionists, activists from the Syndicats movement led by René Belin, and members of the Rally of the French People (RPF), the party created by General Charles de Gaulle.

In 1959, the CFT was founded by merging unions that had previously left the General Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CGSI) and others dissatisfied with CGSI’s structure. Heavily influenced by anti-communism, the CFT aimed to counteract unions like the CGT. Its creation was reportedly encouraged by Simca, which used it to gain control of its Works Council.

The CFT was never recognized as representative and relied on employer support to sustain its influence.

The 1960s

Under the leadership of Jacques Simakis, the CFT maintained close ties to right-wing organizations, including the Service d'action civique (SAC). During the events of May 1968, the CFT opposed strikes and organized "freedom of work" pickets, notably in the Simca Poissy factory.

The 1970s

By the 1970s, the CFT was frequently associated with violent actions against other unions, particularly the CGT. In 1975, the union shifted further to the right under the leadership of Auguste Blanc, a supporter of the SAC.

Confederation of Free Trade Unions (1977–2002)

In 1977, following the murder of a CGT member by a CFT commando, the CFT rebranded itself as the Confederation of Free Trade Unions (CSL). The name change marked an attempt to distance itself from its violent past.

The CSL's influence waned in the 1980s and 1990s as public funding and employer support declined. By 2002, it faced financial difficulties and officially dissolved.

Dissolution in 2002

After losing funding from the city of Paris following the defeat of the RPR in the 2001 municipal elections, the CSL dissolved in October 2002. Its members were encouraged to join Force ouvrière (FO).

Analyses and documents

Historians Nicolas Hatzfeld and Jean-Louis Loubet describe the CSL as a corporatist union that worked closely with employers and opposed communist unions like the CGT. It maintained order within factories and engaged in violent confrontations during strikes, such as the Talbot Poissy strike of 1982.

See Also

• Yellow unionism
• Auguste Blanc
• Jacques Simakis
• Citroën strikes
• Talbot Poissy strike

References

1. Vincent Gay, "From strikes of dignity to struggles against layoffs: Immigrant workers at Citroën and Talbot, 1982-1984," Contretemps, March 3, 2013.
2. Jean-Louis Loubet and Nicolas Hatzfeld, "Poissy: From the CGT to the CFT, history of an atypical factory," Vingtième Siècle, 2002.
3. "Georges Pompidou and Western economic changes, 1969-1974," Acts of the November 2001 colloquium, Association Georges Pompidou, 2003.
4. Bressol, Elyane. "Confederation of Free Trade Unions: Key points," Institute for Social History of the CGT, 1977.
5. Le Monde, "The CFT decides to rename itself the Confederation of Free Trade Unions," November 21, 1977.
6. Christine Garin and Caroline Monnot, "CSL dissolves after losing public funding," Le Monde, October 11, 2002.
7. Liberation, "Goodbye CSL, a yellow union," October 10, 2002.
8. Nicolas Hatzfeld, Jean-Louis Loubet, "Conflicts at Talbot: From a spring of union action to austerity (1982-1984)," Vingtième Siècle, 2004.