For almost 30 years, the Labour exchanges (Labour exchanges) were an essential component of French trade unionism. From the end of the 19th century through to the First World War, the Labour exchanges and their federation played a central role in the development, assertion and structure of trade unionism, shaping and profoundly influencing the nature of trade unionism and, in particular, of the Confédération générale du travail (CGT).
They gave rise to a complete and autonomous model of trade unionism based on tactics, strategy and a social project. The dominant model of syndicalism that developed within the Labour exchanges proposed a tactic of struggle through direct action, a strategy of social transformation through the general strike, and immediate and future organisational structures – the Labour exchanges and the workers’ unions – destined to replace the state and employers.