Paris (AFP)

Here are the main stages of the mobilization against the pension reform, which started a month ago, on December 5.

Announced by Emmanuel Macron during his presidential campaign in 2017, this structural reform aims to abolish the 42 existing plans (private, special, civil servants, etc.) to create a universal pension system by points.

- Strong mobilization -

On December 5, employees massively participate in a national day of action.

The strike, renewable at SNCF and RATP, greatly disrupts transport. Among teachers, it has reached record rates since 2003 despite government promises to increase salaries.

Between 806,000 demonstrators (according to the Ministry of the Interior) and 1.5 million (according to the CGT) parade throughout France, including 65,000 to 250,000 in Paris.

- "Progressive transitions" -

The next day, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he was firm on "the disappearance of special regimes" but ready for "gradual transitions".

"We will hold out until the withdrawal," warns the secretary general of the CGT, Philippe Martinez.

On December 10, between 339,000 (Ministry of the Interior) and one million people (CGT) demonstrated in France, including 31,000 to 180,000 in Paris.

- Pivotal age -

On the 11th, Edouard Philippe presents the project. The universal point system will apply from the 1975 generation.

But among certain officials and agents of special regimes, the first generations concerned will be that of 1980, even 1985 (SNCF and RATP drivers for example).

In terms of budgetary measures, a bonus-malus scheme will encourage people to work longer, with an "equilibrium age" reaching 64 in 2027.

This pivotal age applied gradually from 2022 tipped the CFDT, which in principle favored a universal system, into the camp of opponents. "The red line is crossed," reacts its secretary general Laurent Berger.

- Delevoye resigns -

After a week of revelations on undeclared voluntary activities and other paid ones, the High Commissioner for Pensions Jean-Paul Delevoye resigned on December 16. He was replaced the next day by LREM deputy for the North Laurent Pietraszewski.

For the first time at the call of all the unions, between 615,000 (Interior) and 1.8 million (CGT) of people demonstrated on the 17th throughout France, including 76,000 to 350,000 in Paris.

CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, Solidaires and FSU are demanding the withdrawal of the project, CFDT, CFTC and Unsa the abandonment of the pivotal age.

- Advances" -

On December 18, Emmanuel Macron announced that he was "willing to improve" his reform, in particular "around the pivotal age".

The next day, after meetings with the social partners, Edouard Philippe noted "progress" but only the Unsa railway called for a "break" in the strike.

The inter-union mobilized for the withdrawal of the reform announces a new day of action for January 9.

- Call for compromise -

On the 21st, Emmanuel Macron announced that he was giving up his future retirement as president.

The resumption of government / union consultation is set for January 7. Meanwhile, concessions are granted over the days to a dozen professions (police, airline pilots, sailors, Opera dancers ...).

Transport remains disrupted by the strike during the holidays, and the CGT-Chimie calls to block refineries and depots from January 7 to 10.

In his televised wishes of December 31, Emmanuel Macron said that "the pension reform will be completed", while asking the government to find "a quick compromise".

Before the new day of action on January 9, strike orders were launched from the 6th (lawyers, physiotherapists, nurses, Air France airmen ...). And the intersyndicale opposed to the pension reform has also scheduled a day of demonstration on Saturday, January 11.

© 2020 AFP