In 1932 a Parisian street was renamed. It now honors Fernand Pelloutier. This quiet Allée Fernand Pelloutier in the 17th arrondissement remembers a remarkable man. A revolutionary syndicalist Pelloutier dedicated his life to workers’ rights.
Fernand Pelloutier was born in Paris in 1867. His family held monarchist views. Young Fernand however developed a rebellious spirit. He abandoned his studies after failing his baccalaureate. He became a journalist in 1886. Initially drawn to republican ideas he later embraced socialism. By 1892 he joined Jules Guesde’s Workers’ Party.
With Aristide Briand Pelloutier co-authored a pamphlet. Its title was ‘On Revolution through the General Strike’. He eventually became captivated by anarchist ideas. In 1895 Pelloutier was elected secretary of the Federation of Labour Exchanges. He opposed Ravachol’s terrorist tactics. Pelloutier preferred developing the Labour Exchanges. Under his leadership their number significantly increased. They grew from 33 in 1894 to 81 by 1901.
These Labour Exchanges offered more than simple trade unions. They provided vital services. Workers found mutual aid there. There were job placement bureaus. They had sickness unemployment and death benefit funds. Libraries stocked books by Adam Smith Proudhon Marx Kropotkine Zola and Bakunin. Evening classes were also organized.
Pelloutier championed worker autonomy. He revived the teachings of Proudhon and Bakunin. He is recognised as a key figure in updating anarchist thought. Despite health problems throughout his life Pelloutier died prematurely in 1901. He died in poverty. His grave is in the Sèvres cemetery. Allée Fernand Pelloutier stands as a lasting tribute to his legacy. A legacy of fighting for social justice. A legacy written in the very streets of Paris.