France, Alternative Libertaire #224 - CNT: After the split, what future? (fr)

What is the immediate future of the two organizations claiming CNT famous acronym? Cruel 
heartbreak? Unexpected reconciliation? Mutual ignorance? Some explanation, and the opinion 
of the protagonists. ---- The split was previously morality. Since autumn 2012, it is 
effective: there are now two CNT in France, which must be added a handful of local groups
but not displaying the Confederate symbol [ 1 ]. ---- On the one hand, the French CNT 
(CNT-F), on the other, the CNT Solidarity Workers (CNT-SO), a name taken from the rich 
history of Spanish anarchism [ 2 ]. ---- Already on May 1, 2011, regular-es of the Paris 
demonstration had been surprised to see the procession CNT divided into two sections each
displaying their own flags. Distribution of a small bulletin Future Other confirmed the 
birth of a dissident tendency within the CNT.

Genealogy of rupture

Originally this divorce disagreement dating back to the early 2000s, on whether or not, 
for anarcho-syndicalist organization, to have standing. "Risk of bureaucratization tion" 
say the anti, "need to grow" meet others. The debate is as old as the trade union 
movement, excellent arguments exist on both sides, and this article is not the place to 
resolve this issue. Still, the disagreement has crystallized around the union Cleaning 
whose confederation CNT "discovered" that he was a legal adviser with full-time paid.

The situation was difficult, given the high symbol represented by that union.

Established in 1988, the CNT syndicates Cleaning hundreds of workers and workers from the
most precarious strata of the proletariat, mostly immigrants, sometimes undocumented. 
Combining animation and follow legal strikes, it is given the means to be one of the 
actresses in Paris that has the industry very hard. And that nobody disputes.

What is in dispute is the role of legal counsel, Stephen Deschamps. For some, it is a 
"manitou" weighing much heavier than the regular union secretaries. For others, it plays a 
necessary evil to migrants with the French language. In this original hiatus gradually 
grafted other grievances. Defenders of the CNT-cleaning have criticized the regional union 
(UR) have become a Parisian middle-cons and cultural affinity. In return, the UR lamented
a fait accompli and divisive practices. Litigation was also born around the CNT 
certification of a union or not in the hotel and restaurant in Paris.

Cleanup goes

Over the years, the division has taken unmanageable proportions. After 1 May 2011 and the
birth of the tendency Other Future Fair for self-June 2012 was the scene of a public 
reckoning, ten CNT from Etienne Deschamps prohibit speech in a forum discussion. Despite 
condemnation by the office confederal of "malicious" [ 3 ], this episode marked the end of 
cohabitation. Cleaning the union left the CNT-F shortly after, soon followed by other unions.

Exit doors, however, have not been the same for everyone.

While some have moved to the South, most have chosen to create a new confederation: the 
CNT-SO, formalized in a statement on November 12. As for Other Future, it was transformed
into 'space intersyndical "gathering of self-management union South, CGT and CNT [ 4 ].

Why create CNT-SO rather than join the union Solidarity trade union? First, says Bernard,
the Confederal Bureau provisional loyalty to a story, that of the CNT, which some believe
to have splitters " at arm's reach for decades . " But especially by attachment to a 
carrier unionism a "revolutionary project overall." The daily action judge he must be " 
the crucible, the matrix of a larger movement of emancipation which is called libertarian
communism . " That is not the aim of Solidarity.

Whither CNT-SO now? " It is not to develop "piquant" members of the existing unions, says
Bernard. foremost we want to put into practice what had remained at the stage of pious 
resolutions within the CNT-F and we have essentially the struggles and outreach to ensure
our grassroots development. "

Congress drives the nail

The side of the rue des Vignoles, this split is seen as a huge mess. Fouad, the Confederal 
Bureau, regrets that people primarily Other Future have never submitted a " motion 
orientation "or" text congress to debate "before committing the irreparable.

Thus, the absence of " fractional unions "to Congress in early November has certainly 
allowed the CNT-F to be on the" policy choices clear, consistent, and a large majority , 
"but it also deprived of delegates 'frank explanations, and this is seen as a " denial of
democracy . " Anyway, the conference drove home the point, reiterating its " refusal of 
permanent union "[ 5 ].

What will the CNT-F now? " Contrary to what happened in 1993, we will not stay on it for 
one hundred and seven years, Fouad sweeps. The finding is that no federation has left the
CNT-F, and this we want to move on, move forward, build. "And do not cut bridges, as 
suggested by the recent announcement that evokes" the necessary unity "of 
anarcho-syndicalism [ 6 ].

William Davranche (AL Montreuil)

Two sections for anarcho-syndicalism
French CNT: See history of 33, rue des Vignoles in Paris 20th. The Combat publishes the 
monthly trade unionist. Main federations claimed: Education, Health and Social 
Construction, Culture show. www.cnt-f.org

CNT-working Solidarity: See the 4, rue de la Martinique, Paris 18e. Publishes the 
periodical Solidarity workers. Main federations claimed: Cleaning, Catering, Hospitality,
Culture and communication. www.cnt-so.org

[ 1 ] These include scattered groups claiming directly from the International Workers 
Association (AIT, an international anarcho-syndicalist)

[ 2 ] Founded in 1907, the trade union Solidaridad Obrera Catalan was at the origin of the 
CNT in 1910

[ 3 ] Press confederation CNT-F of 28 July 2012.

[ 4 ] www.autrefutur.net

[ 5 ] Press confederation CNT-F of 21 December 2012.

[ 6 ] Press confederation CNT-F of 21 December 2012.