Lionel Gougelot (in Amiens) 10:59 a.m., January 19, 2023
A decisive day for the unions.
This Thursday, since early in the morning, the trade unions have been ready for this first day of mobilization against the pension reform.
Europe 1 went to Amiens where the blocking points started in the middle of the night.
With one objective: to make the government bend.
The unions are preparing, on this first day of mobilization against the pension reform.
Some organizations started their day very early on Thursday morning.
Europe 1 is in Amiens where the strikers are already on the blocking points.
"People who have never mobilized are ready to fight"
A few dozen activists from the CGT of Force Ouvrière have occupied three roundabouts on the accesses to Amiens since 4:30 a.m. this Thursday morning.
They call to demonstrate and support the movement against this pension reform.
Anger that is rising in companies, according to Christophe Giffard, Force Ouvrière representative at the Dunlop factory.
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"In our company, there are people who have never mobilized, and who ask us how it works, what we do, where we meet... We feel they are ready to fight. That's it also motivating. It can get things moving," he explains.
"Economy shutdown"
Make things happen, provided you hit hard today, but also in the coming days, according to the unions.
"We know that a day of mobilization today very strong, it counts. Now, it must be registered in the long term", insists Kevin Crépin, departmental secretary of the CGT.
"For us, the question that is asked is that of the blocking of the economy to make Macron roll back. There is an aspiration rising from this country to make him heard. At some point, there will be no other choice but to force it," he added.
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So of course, here, on the roundabout, it is difficult for these activists to engage in dialogue with motorists who leave for work.
But the leaflets are usually greeted with a smile, or even some encouragement.