The Recognition of Representativeness as a Source of Integration? The Union syndicale Solidaires in Search of an Original Position
Established at the end of the 1990s, the Union syndicale Solidaires (USS) has played an important role in social conflict in France. Through its SUD unions, it appears to be one of the components of the radical labour movement in France, and a major player in the protest movement against the effects of the economic crisis and austerity policies. This article shows that, while playing an important role in social protest, USS is also engaged in a process of recognition of its representativeness and its place in the industrial relations system. To support the radical unionism that the organization aims to defend, USS needs to obtain a wider audience and greater visibility. While challenging the rules of the industrial relations system, which were benefiting the dominant players, USS demanded a change in these rules. The reform of the rules of representativeness, through a law adopted on August 20, 2008, was positive for this Union. However, the reform has generated ambivalent dynamics inside the organization, having facilitated the implantation conditions of its unions in the private sector while forcing USS to rationalize its structures, but also its methods for the sake of efficiency. A tension exists between a development strategy in connection with the opportunities created by the new union representativeness scheme and the importance of some identity referents that are very active in the organization (recognition of the autonomy of the basic structures, refusal of any centralization, criticism of union officials).