Covid-19: unions want mobilization on May 1, but without procession

It would be the first mobilization since the demonstrations against the pension reform in early March. Unions and youth organizations want a mobilization on May 1 in France, on International Workers' Day, despite the confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The processions being prohibited, they called on Monday, April 20, the French to display signs from their balcony or to invest in social networks of slogans.

"Even confined, let's all demonstrate on May 1 with placards, banners or by invading social networks, and give this day a real collective force", write in a joint press release the CGT, FSU, Solidaires and movements unions Fidl, MNL, UNL high school students and Unef student.

In this Covid-19 pandemic, the seven organizations want to shed light on the "forgotten" and the "invisible people of our societies, who continue to work, most often at the risk of their own lives".

Even confined, let's all demonstrate on May 1st, with placards, banners or by invading social networks (...) and let's give this day a real collective force! pic.twitter.com/sQMgkhLCuu

FO calls for mobilization apart

"It is first of all the health personnel who have not counted their hours, their dedication", but also the employees, "often women, trade, food, paramedical, social, cleaning, "public service agents," and more broadly those who work in the service of the population, "said the intersyndical statement.

"The words of recognition" of the government "were not followed by strong acts", believe the signatories, who claim in particular "real salary increases in the minimum wage and wages".

As is its tradition, Force Ouvrière (FO) will call for its own mobilizations on May 1, also on social networks.

This union will carry its demands for a "general increase in wages and minimum wage", "gender equality" and "strengthening of collective social protection systems (health, unemployment insurance, retirement)", according to the declaration of its executive committee adopted Monday, April 20.

With AFP

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