Confédération africaine des syndicats libres (CASL, 'African Confederation of Free Trade Unions'), initially 'Confédération africaine des syndicats libres-Force ouvrière (CASL-FO, 'African Confederation of Free Trade Unions-Workers Power'), was an Africa confederation of trade unions. CASL-FO was founded in February 1958 as the African sections of the French trade union centre CGT-Force Ouvrière separated themselves from their mother organization.[1][2] The new union confederation was founded at a conference in Abidjan February 8–9, 1958, with participation of the CGT-FO branches of Senegal, French Soudan, Upper Volta, Niger, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Moyen-Congo and Ubangui-Shari. At the time of the founding of CASL-FO, the relationship of the new structure with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and CGT-FO, was debated. In the end the conference resolved that CASL-FO and CGT-FO should have membership of ICFTU on equal footing.[1][2]

The launching of CASL-FO followed the creation of two other pan-African trade union bodies in French Africa, UGTAN and CATC.[3] CGT-FO had opposed the formation of independent African unions, reluctantly accepting this development by 1958.[4] However, it was stated that although CASL-FO would not be organizationally dependent on CGT-FO it would retain links to the French body.[5] A coordination committee with three representatives of CGT-FO and three representatives of CASL-FO was to oversee the liaisons between the two bodies.[6]

A provisional bureau for CASL-FO was formed, with one representative of French Equatorial Africa, one from French West Africa (Diadié Coulibaly from French Soudan) and one from Cameroon.[7] Antoine Ambili, of French Equatorial Africa, was the general secretary of CASL-FO. Ambili also served as joint secretary of the African Socialist Movement.[8]

CASL-FO was founded on three principles; defense of African personality, the ideals of the free trade union movement and the principles of the French trade union movement (Charter of Amiens).[2] It claimed to be strictly independent of any philosophy or religion.[9]

In 1958 CASL-FO openly called for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum on the French Community.[10]

Shortly afterwards, at the first congress of CASL-FO in September 1959, 'FO' was removed from the name of the organization as it aspired to become the regional organization of ICFTU in sub-Saharan Africa. ICFTU did, however, not approve this request. CGT-FO also rejected these ambitions.[1][2][9]

In Senegal CASL-FO was led by Alassane Sow and Sijh Sar.[10] In Cameroon, CASL-FO provided nominal support to the dominant Union Camerounaise.[11] In Upper Volta the CASL section formed the Union nationale des travailleurs de la Haute-Volta, which in 1964 evolved into the Organisation voltaïque des syndicats libres.[12] The Ivorian section of CASL became the Union national de la CASL in 1959.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wallerstein, Immanuel Maurice.Africa: The Politics of Independence and Unity. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2005. p. 188
  2. 1 2 3 4 Meynaud, Jean, and Anisse Salah Bey. Trade Unionism in Africa. Lond: Methuen, 1967. pp. 61-62, 166
  3. ↑ Busch, G.K. Political Currents in the International Trade Union Movement. London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 1980. p. 26
  4. ↑ Phelan, Craig. Trade Unionism Since 1945: Towards a Global History. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2009. p. 322
  5. ↑ International Institute of Differing Civilizations and Université libre de Bruxelles. Civilisations. Bruxelles: Institut International des Civilisations Différentes, 1958. p. 209
  6. ↑ Historical Society of Nigeria. Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. Ibadan: The Society, 1967. p. 372
  7. ↑ Benoist, Joseph-Roger de. L'Afrique occidentale française de la Conférence de Brazzaville (1944) à l'indépendance (1960). Dakar: Nouvelles éditions africaines, 1982. p. 373
  8. ↑ Revue du Marché commun. Paris: [s.n.], 1958. p. 133
  9. 1 2 November, András. L'évolution du mouvement syndical en Afrique Occidentale. 1965. p. 100
  10. 1 2 Martens, Georg R. Industrial Relations and the Political Process in Senegal. Geneva: International Institute for Labour Studies, 1982. pp. 28-29
  11. ↑ Coleman, James Smoot, and Carl Gustav Rosberg. Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1964. p. 172
  12. ↑ Kabeya Muase, Charles. Syndicalisme et démocratie en Afrique noire: l'expérience du Burkina Faso, 1936-1988. Abidjan: Inadès édition, 1988. p. 56
  13. ↑ Contamin, Bernard, and Harris Memel-Fotê. Le modèle ivoirien en questions: crises, ajustements, recompositions. Paris: Editions Karthala, 1997. p. 561
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