Confédération nationale du travail

The National Confederation of Labour (French: Confédération nationale du travail; CNT) is a French trade union centre. Established in 1946 as an anarcho-syndicalist alternative to the main trade union centre, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), it brought together tens of thousands of workers around the country. After the establishment of another trade union centre, Workers' Force (FO), it sought to collaborate with other autonomous trade unions, with the intention of forming a larger confederation. Over time, many of its members began to withdraw from the organisation and join the FO, which caused division between the CNT and its erstwhile allies. Its political sectarianism during this period provoked most of its members to leave the organisation, either joining the FO or other autonomous unions. By the 1970s, the CNT's membership had declined to less than 100 members and other anarcho-syndicalist initiatives attracted focus from rank-and-file trade union members.

During the 1980s, a renewed interest in anarcho-syndicalism led to the CNT experiencing a resurgence in activity, culminating in its participation in the 1995 strikes in France. At this time, it also experienced a split over the issue of participation in works councils. The majority of the organisation supported participation and became known as the CNT-F, while the minority that opposed participation broke off and became the CNT-AIT. Over time, the CNT-F grew to count thousands of members and pursued a strategy of dual unionism. It also formed links with other syndicalist unions in Europe and several autonomous unions in Africa. Although it had the official recognition of the International Workers' Association (AIT), the CNT-AIT remained a marginal organisation, with less than 100 members.