In a work environment marked by danger and precariousness, trade union action constitutes a central lever for dockworkers at the Port of Abidjan to defend their rights. This study analyzes the social profile of dockworker trade unionists and their repertoires of action, based on a methodology combining direct observation, individual interviews, and documentary research. The findings show that union leaders generally come from among the most experienced dockworkers and possess a higher level of education than the average of their peers. Their legitimacy relies on the strategic use of narrative and symbolic resources, while, in certain situations, resorting to forms of physical violence. The article highlights the tensions between internal solidarity, power struggles, and structural constraints in a context where institutional mechanisms for worker protection remain limited.
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