Marins, dockers et autres au sein de la Fédération internationale des travailleurs des transports (ITF) au début du 21 siècle

Abstract

Bolstered by its fight against flags of convenience, the ITF has developed a very large paid staff that allows it to deploy standardized coordinated campaigns combining powerful communication and solidarity between industrial sections. However, it appears that professional identities and regional stakes are too deeply rooted to allow real cohesion. Bureaucratization of the trade unions’ apparatuses feeds a real misunderstanding of the interests and stakes of the rank-and-file, as well as of trade union democracy. This case study suggests reexamining the paths of trade unionism as a tool of counter-power for workers.

Keywords

• international syndicalism
• professional identity
• sailors
• trade union strategy
• trade union democracy
• federations