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Prime Minister Édouard Philippe arrives in Matignon on December 19, 2019 to meet the unions. REUTERS / Benoit Tessier

It was the last chance meeting before Christmas, it will not have helped to unblock the situation. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe received the union and employer organizations this Thursday, December 19, and despite certain openings, no retreat from the executive. Not enough to satisfy the unions.

This is the only announcement following this meeting: discussions will resume in early January. Philippe Martinez , draws his conclusions: “ Nothing has changed, so there are a lot of promises, always promises. But the only thing that is concrete is that the Prime Minister did not hear the street and so I can tell you that the next interprofessional day of action will take place on January 9, "said the secretary general of the CGT.

Force Ouvrière also calls for demonstrations again, unlike the CFDT. The reformist union remains in contestation, however, the government has not backed down on the pivotal age. Small victory anyway for the government: UNSA, the second union at the SNCF, still displays some disagreements, but calls to end the strike for Christmas.

Small advances

" We have had confirmation that the signs of openness on arduousness, end-of-career arrangements and the minimum contribution are really on the table, " said Laurent Escuren, secretary general of the UNSA. The federal office of the UNSA Rail has decided to take note of these advances and to call, independently of the rest of the file, for a break at the SNCF of the movement. For RATP, this is another matter . "

We had a meeting with the Prime Minister who showed a willingness to dialogue, we can not say the opposite.

Laurent Berger, secretary general of the CFDT 12/19/2019 - by David Baché Play

The showdown between government and unions is slowly getting more complex , but it is surely continuing. Listening to the unions, Édouard Philippe is still far from the mark.

Advances, there are some, answers them however the Prime Minister, in particular as regards the arduousness, the retirement of the civil servants or the minimum of the pensions. What to coax a little CFDT and UNSA, but the age of balance at 64 years still remains the blocking point.

The standoff continues

“ I listened and heard the critics. There is room for maneuver. They are not huge but they exist, launched Édouard Philippe. I propose and I repeat my proposal. Union organizations to discuss it. "

Back to the negotiation box therefore for the government and the unions. Despite the holidays, the showdown will continue. The executive, he appears determined not to back down, by betting on the wear and tear of the dispute.

For Force Ouvrière, anyway, we have said it again, it is up to the government to press the pause button. This single point of retirement plan project is the worst idea.

Yves Veyrier, secretary general of Force Ouvrière 12/19/2019 - by David Baché Play