Paris (AFP)

"Reform is yes, 64 years is no": in Paris, CFDT activists found the way to the demonstration on Tuesday, comfortable with the position of their union, for a universal points system, against an age of balance.

12.30 p.m .: at the Union Départementale de Paris, in the 19th arrondissement, around forty activists take possession of their posters and their reserved sandwich before leaving to join their procession on Place de la République, three kilometers away, where the demonstration is to start around 2 p.m.

The orange chasubles, brand new and in XXL size, had to be urgently printed "CFDT Paris".

"As we are rather in a logic of negotiation, we no longer have the habit of demonstrating in interprofessional for a long time", recognizes easily the treasurer Fabian Tosolini, conductor SNCF.

The last major demonstration dates back to the 2010 pension reform. Some, like Dominique Mathé who works at the Mutualité française, have not demonstrated "since the CPE in 2005".

"In interprofessional it's been a long time, but sectorally we are mobilizing. In commerce we have come out in support for actions at Conforama or Carrefour", nuance Arnold Mabungu, head of the departmental trade union.

Mr. Tosolini hopes "between 5 and 10,000" CFDT activists in République thanks to the reinforcement of buses from Ile-de-France. "Mobilization can make things happen, I have the impression that the government still wants to pay to see," he thinks.

- Orange chasubles in force -

Featured on the posters, the refusal of the age of equilibrium ("pivotal age = silly age"; "you're from the sixties? Bad surprise!") But also the widening of the arduousness, dear to the CFDT ( "The load ports, is it not painful?" "The vibrations, it is not painful?")

"For a caregiver, one is as important as the other," said Eloïse Rousseau, secretary general of the CFDT Paris.

All seem to be in perfect agreement with the union's position, which is favorable to the establishment of a universal points system and which awaited the government's announcements before entering the conflict.

"Internally, there has been a lot of debate for a long time on pensions. We have not registered any resignations since the start of the movement," says Rousseau.

"Outdoors, it's sometimes more difficult because social compromise is neither simple nor spectacular," she admits.

Jacques, who works in public finance, is one of the few who went to demonstrate on December 5 "to support the position of Laurent Berger"

"The situation was difficult to manage, we were asked why we were not moving. The government did everything to put Laurent Berger in difficulty by staying in the dark for a long time," he said.

On arrival at Place de la République, after 40 minutes of walking, the orange chasubles are in force. Relief from Jacques: "I have already seen the ranks of the CFDT more sparse".

The processions are well differentiated between the unions opposed and favorable to the retirement on points. But no tension. A militant CGT passes: "we defend the same cause", he launched.

All of them have in mind the bilateral meetings planned between the Prime Minister and the social partners on Wednesday and Thursday. CFDT number two, Marylise Leon, says she has "no signal to suggest that the government wants to reverse the equilibrium age"

What to do if nothing moves? Jacques, who comes from Nemours every day, is divided.

"On the one hand people can no longer get stuck. On the other hand it will be difficult to restart in January after stopping. There is no good solution," he laments.

© 2019 AFP