The National Federation of Maritime Unions (french: Fédération nationale des syndicats maritimes, FNSM) is a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

representing sailors in France. The union was founded in 1905, and affiliated to the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). In 1921, the left wing of the union split away to join the

United General Confederation of Labour United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two fi ...

(CGTU), while in 1926, another split formed The Sea Labourers union. This became the Autonomous Federation of Sea Workers, then rejoined the FNSM in 1929. Its former leader, Auguste Durand, became general secretary of the FNSM in 1931. The CGTU union rejoined the FNSM later in the decade, taking membership from 13,000 to a claimed 38,000. The union was banned during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, but reformed after the war, and in 1946 had 50,000 members. In 1947, the right wing of the union split away, led by Pierre Ferri-Pisani, to join

Workers' Force The General Confederation of Labor - Workers' Force (french: Confédération Générale du Travail - Force Ouvrière, or simply , FO), is one of the five major union confederations in France. In terms of following, it is the third behind the CGT ...

.{{cite web , title=FERRI-PISANI Pierre, Toussaint , url=https://maitron.fr/spip.php?article23824 , website=Le Maitron , accessdate=17 April 2020

General Secretaries

:1931: Auguste Durand :1945: André Fressinet :1949: Augustin Gruénais :1975: :1990s: Alain Merlet :2010s: Michel Le Cavorzin :2019: Pierrick Samson

References

Seafarers' trade unions Trade unions in France Trade unions established in 1905 1905 establishments in France