General Confederation of Workers (Mexico)
Encyclopedia
The Confederación General de Trabajadores (General Confederation of Workers, CGT) is a federation of labor unions
in Mexico
. It was founded in February 1921 by anarchists
, syndicalists
and others on the far left who opposed the more moderate, pro-government Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana
(CROM). In particular, the founders of the CGT criticized the CROM's close relationship with the conservative American Federation of Labor
(AFL). Briefly after its formation, the CGT allied with the Mexican Communist Party
(PCM), but disputes ended the relationship almost immediately. In the decades that followed, the CGT became increasingly anti-communist
. The CGT remained far smaller than the CROM, and by the 1930s both federations were dwarfed by the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It was founded in February 1921 by anarchists
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
, syndicalists
Syndicalism
Syndicalism is a type of economic system proposed as a replacement for capitalism and an alternative to state socialism, which uses federations of collectivised trade unions or industrial unions...
and others on the far left who opposed the more moderate, pro-government Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana
Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers
The Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana is a federation of labor unions in Mexico....
(CROM). In particular, the founders of the CGT criticized the CROM's close relationship with the conservative American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
(AFL). Briefly after its formation, the CGT allied with the Mexican Communist Party
Mexican Communist Party
The Mexican Communist Party was a communist party in Mexico. It was founded in 1911 as the Socialist Workers' Party by Manabendra Nath Roy, a left-wing Indian intellectual. The PSO changed its name to the Mexican Communist Party in November 1919 following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia...
(PCM), but disputes ended the relationship almost immediately. In the decades that followed, the CGT became increasingly anti-communist
Anti-communism
Anti-communism is opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed in reaction to the rise of communism, especially after the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Cold War in 1947.-Objections to communist theory:...
. The CGT remained far smaller than the CROM, and by the 1930s both federations were dwarfed by the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).