the long progression of women in the CGT

This week, Sophie Binet was elected head of the CGT. This is the first time that a woman has come to the head of this central trade union. However, from the founding congress of the CGT, in September 1895, female workers were present in the movement. Three of them came from Limoges where they had led a hard strike in the company where she made corsets. They demanded a pay rise, refused collective prayer sessions at the factory, as well as deductions from wages in the event of misconduct.

>> “This is very bad news for the government”: what changes the election of Sophie Binet at the head of the CGT in the fight against pension reform

The issue of equal pay puts them in tension with some of the male members of the confederation for whom women weaken the position of workers in the struggle. But the workers won their place in the unions and were very active from the inter-war period. Some climb to the confederal secretariat, such as Marie Guillot, a teacher.

The big change in the recognition of their specific demands came after 1945. Women from the Resistance and members of the Communist Party were promoted. Henceforth, the creation of women’s commissions in local unions and branches is advocated. And a federal secretary coordinates this action. Madeleine Colin, from 1955, plays a crucial role in this story. In 1955, she founded a magazine for activists, Antoinette. And in it ensures the direction for 20 years. She creates a network of women’s committees in trade unions throughout France. She was even the CGT spokesperson for the 1962 social security elections and appeared on television during the campaign.

Her work was shaken up by the demands of new feminism in the 1970s. The commissions were gradually marginalized from 1977 and Antoinette stopped in 1989. A new story began which saw women access non-specific positions. Bernard Thibault promotes their progress within the management. In particular, she manages organization and communication.

Yet it was the CFDT that put a woman at its head for the first time: Nicole Notat, in 1992. This pioneer had to face prejudice, including in her own confederation. It is up to Sophie Binet today to take up the double challenge of the social struggle and the struggle of women.

References :