Galvanized by the success of their first mobilization against the pension reform, the unions are calling for new demonstrations all over France on Tuesday and threatening strikes in February, but the Prime Minister was firm on Sunday on the postponement of the age departure at age 64: it is “no longer negotiable”.
Will the gauge make the law? After their feat of January 19 (1.12 million demonstrators according to Beauvau, more than two million according to the organizers) the eight main French unions called “to mobilize even more massively on the 31st”. But after this successful first day, “the bar has been set high”, notes political scientist Dominique Adolfatto, and the unions “cannot afford a faux pas”. They are quite confident. “We are on track to be more numerous”, assures Céline Verzeletti, confederal secretary of the CGT. Hope reinforced by polls showing a growing rejection of the reform in public opinion.
Very unfavorable population
“The population is very unfavorable to the project and this opinion tends to gain momentum”, also notes the number one of the CFDT, Laurent Berger. Who warns the executive: not taking into account the mobilizations “would be a fault”. In response to this growing distrust, the majority tries to do “pedagogy”.
In an interview with franceinfo broadcast on Sunday morning, the head of government is open to a discussion on better use of the “education” and “maternity” terms obtained by women during their careers.
Many disruptions expected on Tuesday
If the LFI Jean-Luc Mélenchon suggested Saturday to the unions to organize soon a “very big march” a weekend, it is from this Tuesday that the participation will be scrutinized in the many gatherings (more than 200) planned. In Paris, the course must this time end at the Invalides, very close to the National Assembly, where the examination of the bill will have started Monday in committee.
Among the che, they prefer to “keep public opinion” on their side. “The level of trade union effectiveness is not measured by the level of concrete hassle for the citizens”, explains Mr. Berger, who also does not want to multiply the days of action “because many workers cannot stand on a rhythm as intense. “One or two additional demonstrations of force” will be enough, according to him, to make the executive listen to reason. It remains to convince the other union leaders, who will meet Tuesday evening at the headquarters of Force Ouvrière.
Hard or soft strikes?
Among the railway workers, it will be 7 and 8, a prelude to a renewable notice “from mid-February”, warned the CGT and SUD. Right during the winter holidays and its big crossover weekend of 18-19.
But the CFDT prefers to “keep public opinion” on its side. “The level of trade union effectiveness is not measured by the level of concrete hassle for the citizens”, explains Mr. Berger, who also does not want to multiply the days of action “because many workers cannot stand on a rhythm as intense. “One or two additional demonstrations of force” will be enough, according to him, to make the executive listen to reason. It remains to convince the other union leaders, who will meet Tuesday evening at the headquarters of Force Ouvrière.