Pension reform in France: unions maintain pressure on the government
While the pension reform bill arrives in the National Assembly on Monday February 6, the unions intend to maintain the pressure with two new days of mobilization on February 7 and 11.
© JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
4 mins
While the pension reform bill arrives in the National Assembly on Monday February 6, the unions intend to maintain the pressure with two new days of mobilization on February 7 and 11.
If the common objective is indeed to force the government to withdraw its reform, the strategy to achieve this seems to diverge according to the centrals, with the risk of shattering a trade union that we had not seen since 2010. .
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Faced with a government that maintains its course, some unions believe that the street will not be enough to make it bend, and want to give another form to the challenge.
Already the date of January 31, the
second day of mobilization
, has been the subject of discussion.
The CGT found it too far from that of January 19, while the CFDT, which won its case, wanted it to be maintained to give time to the demonstrators.
If the movement continues, it is likely that some power plants pushed by their base could step aside.
As at the CGT where its leader Philippe Martinez wants to increase the pressure on the executive with renewable strikes and blockages in certain sectors of activity, while Laurent Berger of the CFDT does not want it.
Already, the CGT chemistry foresees movements as of this month, the CGT railway workers and Sud Rail have suggested a renewable strike at the SNCF.
On the side of FO transport, a strike of one hour a day at the time of taking service was mentioned.
► To read also:
Headlines: Elisabeth Borne retreats
A risky bet for the CFDT which wonders whether the French, tired by the energy crisis and inflation, will be able to support the strike for a long time, hence its choice to organize demonstrations on Saturday, day rest.
Two out of three French people support the mobilization
But according to an Ipsos poll carried out at the beginning of the month, two out of three French people were in favor of continuing the mobilization, like this 50-year-old Parisian: "
I am fully aware that it is absolutely necessary to carry out reforms from the point of view of economic point of view, but I think the way to do it is not the right one.
I fully support the protesters, even if I am not protesting myself
”.
It took me seven years to become a real disappointed with Macronism
And there is no age to take the plunge.
This is the case of Bertrand Hays, engineer at Hewlett-Packard.
At 61, he will demonstrate for the first time.
“
Usually, I'm not on the street, it's not my culture, I don't come from a union background.
I take part in protests because what is happening nationally echoes what I see in my business.
And I have the impression that we don't care a bit about our figure.
It is said that there is consultation with the unions, that is not true.
There were monologues, there were never any real exchanges
[…].
It took me seven years to become a real disappointment in Macronism
”.
“
Useless
” and “
penalizing
”
But, for 36% of French people, the mobilizations will not change anything.
This is the case of this septuagenarian who finds that demonstrating or going on strike is “
useless, penalizing for public transport users, for everyone.
Anyway, we will have to go through this if we want pensions to continue to be paid, and taxes not to be increased.
Me, I worked until I was 65, I didn't die of it
”.
Others support the movement, but cannot miss a day's work, like Charlotte, a 34-year-old Parisian: "
Going on strike means not having a salary and unfortunately, I have rent to pay, so I can't afford it.
But I support the strikers, we even wonder if we are going to have a retirement one day.
I am worried about my parents, because I see that they are being asked to work longer and longer
[...].
Before, I worked in a crèche, and working in these conditions until I was 64 is not going to be possible
”.
►Also read: Pension reform in France: Elisabeth Borne makes a first concession on long careers
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