General Council of Workers' Unions and Associations
| Full name | General Council of Workers' Unions and Associations |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1938 |
| Members | All Gylian workers |
| Country | Gylias |
| Website | http://www.gcwua.gls/ |
The General Council of Workers' Unions and Associations (French: Conseil Général des Syndicats et Conseils Ouvrieres), abbreviated GCWUA (CGSCO), is the national trade union centre of Gylias. It is Gylias' largest and most influential workers' organisation.
History
It was established in 1938 in the Free Territories, as a confederation of existing workers' councils, trade unions, and village committees. It expanded with the Free Territories, and absorbed the former UAL after the accession of Alscia.
The initial National Obligation period caused heightened debates within the GCWUA as to the direction it would take. The main factions vying for influence included anarchists, communists, socialists, and social democrats.
Under Secretary-General Ilaria Marchese (1960–1977), the GCWUA became a powerful participant in the Golden Revolution, and a partner in the pact of the dinner party. Ilaria oversaw a professionalisation of the organisation, and an emphasis on workers' self-management and provision of services. It worked for improved workplace conditions and the adoption of Gylian practices, provided workers with leisure and entertainment in cooperation with the National Recreation Organisation, Gylian Sports Confederation, and Committees for the Advance of the Revolution, and operated one of Gylias' largest financial institutions.
It took a militant turn during the wretched decade, opposing the Aén Ďanez government. During Filomena Pinheiro's "New Course", it launched an extensive purge of its statist communist membership, leading the moderate faction to regain prominence under Secretary-General Patsy Reilly (1988–2010).
Organisation
The GCWUA is a confederation of all trade unions and workers' associations in Gylias. It represents all Gylian workers.
As all companies are legally cooperatives, and enrollment in a trade union is automatic on beginning employment, Gylias is the only country in Tyran to have a 100% unionisation rate.
Function
The GCWUA coordinates collective bargaining and concludes collective agreements, oversees the maintenance of workers' self-management, participates in decentralised planning, and coordinates the organisation of union services — including counseling, education, sport clubs, libraries, festivals, artistic societies, and newspapers.
It owns and operates the National Workers' Bank (Banque Nationale des Ouvriers), Gylias' largest bank.
It is a major stakeholder in The Social Times.
Political aspects
It is strongly influenced by anarchism and its overall character is anarcho-syndicalist. It follows the principle of One Big Union.
Within the GCWUA, the largest internal fault line is the split between radicals and moderates, which is reflected in internal elections.
Leadership
The Secretary-General of the GCWUA is elected for a five-year term, renewable indefinitely. If they resign or lose a motion of no confidence, a supplementary election is held to complete their term.
- Seşer Semera (1940–1950) (radical)
- Rairea Ţautal (1950–1960) (radical)
- Ilaria Marchese (1960–1977) (moderate)
- Keie Seura (1977–1988) (radical)
- Patsy Reilly (1988–2010) (moderate)
- Sisar Pauţas (2010–2020) (radical)
- Resa Kie (2020–present) (radical)
