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Unitary General Confederation of Labour
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Unitary General Confederation of Labour

French labor union
Also known as: CGTU, Confédération Générale du Travail Unitaire(Show More)
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The Unitary General Confederation of Labour (CGTU) was a French labor union federation formed in 1921 when more radical unions, including anarchists, communists, and syndicalists, were expelled from the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). The CGTU's politics were heavily influenced by Moscow.1

In 1936, the CGTU rejoined the CGT as part of a broader "popular front" movement to oppose fascism. This coalition government achieved victories such as a 40-hour workweek and wage increases. The CGT was later banned during World War II, but reemerged with significant communist influence due to their wartime resistance efforts. This led to a split in 1947 when socialists, led by Léon Jouhaux, left to form the General Confederation of Labour–Workers' Force (CGT-FO). The CGT has remained France's largest labor union federation, maintaining close ties with the French Communist Party.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. General Confederation of Labour
  2. General Confederation of Labour–Workers’ Force

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