Since its birth a hundred years ago, the FGTB has pursued one major objective: to develop a society reigned over by social justice in which everyone, on the basis of his work and his needs, has access to the benefits that are due to him.

For the FGTB, political democracy must be supplemented by economic and social democracy. And with this in mind, the FGTB acts on what lies at its very foundation: the world of the worker.

The FGTB wishes to advance towards the ideal, whilst taking account of reality. Therefore, it does not only want a total reform of society, but is also to work towards the realisation of the immediate claims of workers.

As such, it has taken its place within a system of social dialogue, via certain features that are particularly Belgian, but also close to a European model in gestation.

But the FGTB nonetheless remains a union of protest. Its principle for action is "negotiate when possible, fight whenever necessary".

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