The domestic part of trade union work. The functions of the administrative secretaries at CGT headquarters

Based on the case of CGT structure, this article analyses how the administrative secretaries take part in the work of union officials. Beyond the administration of the files or the typewriting tasks, they are involved in the invisible works such as the socialisation of union officials, the participation at the information flow or the team building of “cégétiste” group. These functions require professional, activist and gender skills which constitute the “domestic part” of unionist work. Often ignored, these particular functions may be recognized by the trade union organisation, for example, when the secretaries become elected officials. But, in this situation, it appears they are often confined to women’s or administrative issues.