A-Infos (en) Ireland, Anarchist Workers Solidarity #117 - Spanish Celebrate 100 Years of Anarchist Trade Unionism

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Confederation of Labour (CNT), a militant 
anarchist union in Spain. ---- When General Franco led his fascist revolt in 1936 workers 
rose up throughout the country, Where anarchist ideas were popular (as in Catalonia and 
Aragon) a social revolution occurred, showing that society could indeed function along 
anarchist lines. In hospitals, factories, mills, bus & train services, water & 
electricity, the workers of the CNT reorganised and administered production, distribution, 
and public services without bosses, managers, or the authority of the state. More than 60% 
of agricultural land was collectively cultivated by the peasants themselves, without 
landlords, without bosses, and without any ‘need’ for capitalist competition to spur 
production. And in keeping with the CNT’s rejection of sexism women played a major part in 
the union, on the barricades and in the militia columns.

After Franco’s victory in 1939, the CNT continued the struggle underground and in exile. 
His death in 1975 saw the end of almost 40 years of dictatorship and the revival of the 
CNT. Unfortunately in 1979 there was a major division over whether or not to participate 
in the government’s proposed works councils*.

The problem is that people elected to these committees are not bound by any mandate, and 
it is seen as way of undermining unions in the workplace. Some insisted on a boycott and 
they kept the name CNT.   Those who felt that not participating would mean marginalisation 
ended up as the CGT and Solidaridad Obrera.

Today anarchism is again growing in strength among working people in Spain.  We can see 
this by looking at the 2.5 million union members in Spain, about 15% of all workers.  This 
is much less than in Ireland, but in Spain most large and medium-sized firms have works 
councils. Every worker, not just union members, gets a vote.  The unions put forward 
candidates, and their vote is a reflection of the support for a particular union’s 
position. Overall, about three quarters of the workforce take part and practically all 
vote for union candidates.

The two main trade unions, the CCOO and the UGT, have each about 800,000 members.  The 
anarchist CGT has about 65,000 members, but in the last works council elections it 
received votes from over 1,000,000 workers who wanted the CGT to represent them.  What 
makes this interesting is that it does not just show support for a more aggressive 
response to the employers’ offensive.

This is support for a union that makes no secret of its politics, one that rejects any 
form of ‘social partnership’ and constantly proclaims its anarchism.  Nobody joining or 
voting for them could be unaware of their politics.   Indeed their youth committees are 
called ‘Anarcho-Syndicalist Youth’.

The CNT is considerably smaller, but does have several thousand members in over 100 
branches. A third union, Solidaridad Obrera, has members in Alicante, Menorca and a 
particularly visible presence in Madrid’s underground rail system.  To mark the 
anniversary this union decided to give its members copies of José Peirats’ book ‘The CNT 
in the Spanish Revolution’.

As the crisis gets deeper and more of us face pay cuts, unemployment and uncertainty, the 
desirability of a better way of running society is undeniable. In Spain the ‘anarchist 
alternative’ is growing in popularity among those who want a socialist and truly 
democratic society.

* Comité de empresa.  Elected every four years in workplaces with fifty or more employees 
to negotiate agreements with the employer.  Elected representatives get time off to 
consult with the workforce and attend to union matters.
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