Not knowing anything about the unions in France and their leaders; I would still be on the lookout for union leaders who are either corrupted by Sarkozy''s government or coopted. This is what happened during the Reagan and Clinton administrations in the US. Anotherwards follow the money !!!!

Even though the unions were in a much more vulnerable position; one would have figured civil disobedience would have been the most effective way to protest the Nafta treaty and other trade agreements which were passed or amended during the Clinton administration.
The rationale was always if you don't agree with us; then it will be much worse under a Republican administration. When Reagan wa sPresident many of the union leaders enjoyed far more the perks his Republicans offered than any meaningful representation of the unions.