Gathered on the Place de la Bastille in Paris, the trade unionists of the CFDT still came in large numbers. It’s hard to miss them with their orange panoply, the color of the reformist union. Grouped by sections (agri-food, metallurgy, etc.), they chat quietly over a coffee. For the fifth day of mobilization against the pension reform, this Thursday, February 16, the first union in France came to beat the pavement to oppose retirement at 64.
Demonstration against the pension reform: while waiting for March 7…
The atmosphere is calm, the procession leaner than last February 11 (300,000 according to the CGT, 37,000 according to the police headquarters). Everyone already has in mind the next mobilization day, March 7. Everyone has heard the call from the Secretary General, Laurent Berger, to put “the country at a standstill” And, for the vast majority, the cedists interviewed by “L’Obs” are in favor of this acceleration of the movement.
“We are impatiently awaiting March 7, I absolutely want the reform to be over”says Thierry, employee of Naval group and at the CFDT since 1983. “We have had quiet demonstrations so far, now we have to take it to the next level”, assures Catherine, an employee of a trade. The ambition to roll back the government is palpable and the word ” determination “ is on everyone’s lips. “We hope this will lead to an outstretched hand from the government, which will decide to negotiate”Judge Alexandra, unionized at the CFDT Santé Sociaux.
“We would like it to stop, we are knocked out”
This optimism seems to be shared by many CFDT activists, at least by those whom the “Obs” met. “Hope is in the street”assures Michel Hugues, federal secretary of the CFDT Transport and Environment. “Our union has never played the empty chair policy, so if the negotiations have stopped, it is not because of us”, abounds Nouria Rebotti, Confederal Secretary in charge of public functions. This hope comes up against another reality: the cost of prolonged mobilization. “We would like it to stop, we are knocked out”concedes Alexandra.
Therefore, the question arises of the follow-up to be given to the mobilizations. Solidaires and the CGT (at least some federations) have already proposed the “renewable strike” starting March 7. For his part, Laurent Berger did not want to be part of this ” logic “ and preferred call to “Rally in front of businesses, ghost town operations”.
“I am perfectly in tune with the position and the method”, confirms Michel Hugues, at the CFDT for 30 years. The goal is not to make a hasty decision for the future, hoping that something will happen by March 7. Many still say they believe in the examination of article 7 (on the postponement of the retirement age to 64) in the National Assembly. “Our wish is not to block the country”justifies Nouria Rebotti. “But we do not refrain from local mobilizations such as blocking of highways”she continues.
Laurent Berger, investigation into the key man of the mobilization
“The base is much more vindictive”
With the cedist base, the discourse is different. “If nothing is moving forward, the country must be blocked”judge Jean-François, worker in a Renault factory and at the CFDT for more than 10 years. “The base is much more vindictive”, admits Catherine. Thierry even ensures that the CFDT Transport is ready for a renewable strike. “Only blocking the country will make things happen”adds Thierry, disgusted.
Pension reform: how far will the showdown go?
In the event of a deadlock after March 7, many believe that they will have the support of the majority of French people. “My pharmacist told me that if the blockage took place, he would also lower the curtain in support”, exclaims Caroline, a railway worker. All also salute the inter-union which allows the movement to move forward with consistency. “We have an inter-union base that will last”wants to believe Nouria Rebotti.
Whatever the final decision regarding the aftermath of March 7, the demonstrators marched in a good mood this Thursday, taking advantage of the particularly mild weather. Of the ten cedists that “the Obs” questioned, all have participated in the five mobilizations since January 19. “I lose 78 euros per day of strike, but if I don’t fight now, I will have to work two more years”, laments Vanessa, at the CFDT for more than 20 years. It’s up to Jean-François to conclude, fatalistically: “We are no longer close to that. We’ll just eat less pasta. »
