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Workers without borders: How does the CNT demonstrate its internationalism?
In today's globalized era, the labor movement faces many challenges and the importance of international workers' alliances has become increasingly prominent. As an anarchist trade union organization, Spain's National Confederation of Labor (CNT) has played an important role in the workers' movement since its establishment in 1910 and has demonstrated a strong internationalist spirit. This article will delve into the CNT’s organizational structure, operating principles, and its ethos of a workers’ union without borders.
"We don't differentiate when joining the union, the only requirement is that you must be a worker or student, either employed or unemployed."
CNT structure and function
As an anarchist trade union organization, the CNT is based on direct democracy. Its organizational structure consists of several industrial unions that bring together workers from different industries. Every worker from different skill sets can have a voice in the union’s assemblies, and this structure also respects the right of self-determination in all places.
In addition, the CNT emphasizes the principles of "workers' self-management, federalism and mutual assistance", and believes that labor-capital conflicts should be resolved between employers and workers without the mediation of national or professional unions. This led the CNT to criticize union elections and works councils and to advocate worker assemblies and direct action.
“The aim of the social revolution is the socialisation of the means of production and the creation of a society based on mutual assistance.”
The Internationalist Spirit of the CNT
Using workers to unite beyond national boundaries, the CNT was committed to the realization of internationalism from the moment it was founded. Its early links with the International Workingmen's Association demonstrated its global vision. Through partnerships with other unions, including the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICL-CIT), founded in 2018, the CNT continues to work for connections between workers around the world.
The guiding principles include support for the self-determination of the working class and insistence on the sovereignty of each community, which reflects their flexibility regarding action. The CNT never saw itself as a single central body, but rather as a collection of smaller federations that continually aggregated to provide support to workers in various locations.
History and achievements of CNT
It is generally believed in the academic community that the history of CNT since its establishment has been full of constant challenges and achievements. From the national strike in 1911 to the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the CNT's activity made it one of the most important forces in the Spanish workers' movement. During its short-lived socialist experiment, the CNT helped advance the status of workers and promoted union action in many industries.
“During the Spanish Civil War, the CNT not only fought for workers’ liberation, but also advanced challenges to traditional social structures and created equal opportunities for women.”
Future prospects of CNT
Despite conflicts and repression, the CNT still adheres to the ideals it believes in and seeks new paths in global social movements. In today's environment of changing demands, the CNT's model and beliefs still have great potential and are worth learning from for future workers' movements. CNT is not only a trade union in Spain, but also a force for organizing workers and promoting international cooperation. How it will develop in the future remains a topic worthy of attention.
"The future of the working class lies in our unity. Are you willing to join hands with us?"
