Stephane Burgatt (correspondent in Marseille) 08:04, 05 April 2023

The eight general secretaries of the main unions are preparing to meet Elisabeth Borne this Wednesday morning on the eve of a new day of mobilization on Thursday. Sophie Binet, the new leader of the CGT, will enter the negotiations. The strikers affiliated to the CGT will scrutinize this meeting carefully.

Should we expect the end of a dialogue of the deaf between Elisabeth Borne and the inter-union? The Prime Minister receives this Wednesday the representatives of the eight main unions, who are still demanding the withdrawal of the pension reform. The entry into the race of the new boss of the CGT, Sophie Binet, will be particularly observed. What do CGT militants expect from their new leader? Europe 1 went to meet them in Aix-en-Provence.

No negotiations with the government

On the picket line, blue trucks block the entrance to the Enedis building. Reading the tarpaulin demands, the message is clear: no negotiations with the government. "I hope that it will last only five minutes and that the inter-union will be straight in its boots by saying 'either we withdraw this law, or we discuss nothing else'," said Jean-Pierre Worms of the CGT RTE.

>> READ ALSO - Pensions: what to expect from the meeting between Elisabeth Borne and the unions

Baptism of fire for Sophie Binet

This negotiation will be the baptism of fire for Sophie Binet, whose reaction will be scrutinized by the base. For Nicolas Davant, of the CGT energy, his presence at Matignon is essential: "We cannot complain about the lack of dialogue and not come to the discussion when we are invited. We will see what comes out of the discussion. We don't want to talk about anything else, it's not the topic of the moment. We don't expect much sincerely."

>> READ ALSO - Who is Sophie Binet, the new general secretary of the CGT who succeeds Philippe Martinez?

This is not the opinion of Lydia Frenzel, a trade unionist at the departmental services. She expects a lot from this meeting with Elisabeth Borne. "Oh yes, it's a real date! I think that's what it's all about. I really believe in it. It can also change everything to have a woman at the head of the CGT. Me, I think it's interesting, "she explains to the microphone of Europe 1.

According to her, the outcome of the meeting will have a great influence on the next day of mobilization scheduled for Thursday.