Charter of Amiens

The Charter of Amiens ( fr. Charte d' Amiens ) was adopted in 1906 by the Confédération Générale du Travail, and is still regarded as fundamental theoretical reference of the trade union movement, especially of revolutionary syndicalism and the militant trade unions. She writes of the union movement two goals: to defend everyday demands and the struggle for change in the society as a whole; and this. entirely independent from political parties and from the state

The text of the Charter wrote Victor Griffuelhes, general secretary of the CGT, along with Émile Pouget. In France, the trade union association Solid Aires appeals ( supported, but not exclusively, of various SUD (base ) trade unions) still on the Charter of Amiens, as well as the ( anarcho- syndicalist ) CNT and - but more and theoretical nature way - the (former communist ) CGT, do the FO and the FSU ( teachers Association ).

Text of the Charter

" The confederal congress to Amiens confirmed by Article 2 of the Statutes of the CGT ". CGT united - regardless of all political schools - all workers who are aware of with leading the struggle for the disappearance of wage labor and entrepreneurship aware "Congress sees this statement recognition of the class struggle, with the (material and moral nature ) to confront the rebellious workers in the economic field all forms of exploitation and oppression that are realized by the capitalist class against the working class in the following Congress clarified its theoretical premise. during the battles daily Bread operates the trade union movement to coordinate the efforts of the workers - it follows the rise of the workers' prosperity through immediate improvements such as the reduction of daily working hours, wage increases, etc. But these efforts are only one facet of the trade union movement: On the other hand, it prepares the complete exemption before that without an expropriation of the capitalists ( expropriation capitaliste ) is not feasible; while she wants to support and recognize the union ( syndicat ) in action on the means of the general strike - today a resistance group - the future production and distribution structure and the basis of a social reorganization. The Congress declares that this dual objective (in daily life and in the future ) results from the position of wage workers who oppresses the working class and it makes all workers ( regardless of their opinions or political / philosophical tendencies ) the duty of a substantial Association - the union - to belong. As for the individuals, the Congress asserted the full freedom for the organized to participate outside of the professional association in the fighting, which correspond to his philosophical or political ideas; at the same time, the Congress insists that these opinions are not brought in from outside the union. As for the organizations, the Congress declares overlooking a maximum of union strength, that the economic action against the employers sent direct needs - the Confederate organizations have to worry quite as union groups not parties and sects, outside off and in all freedom may engage in the transformation of society. "