More “participatory democracy” in companies, a reinforced presence on social networks: five years after the “yellow vest” movement that they had observed from afar, unions have developed tools to attract more people, despite the persistent distrust. It is an anniversary that could embarrass them around the corner, since the unions were overwhelmed by a spontaneous social movement that gathered in the streets, at roundabouts and at roadblocks throughout France, in a context of demands social networks that they are used to carrying. “The ‘yellow vest’ movement is a movement of anger and indignation, partly legitimate and understandable for the trade union world,” analyzes Yvan Ricordeau, deputy general secretary of the CFDT.
Use of WhatsApp groups
But the unions barely tasted the violence that marked the movement, particularly the damage to union facilities. And he pointed out that the “yellow vests” managed to attract profiles very far from unionism (artisans, self-employed workers, employees of small businesses, etc.). “The capacity for mobilization through social networks is one of the elements that we analyzed and on which we strengthened ourselves,” reports the CFDT director.
“We realized that one of the strong points of the ‘yellow vests’ was to be able to exchange, to be able to remake the world, to create links,” analyzes Cyril Chabanier, president of the CFTC. The latter has thus developed an application with the union’s services (legal information, training, etc.), but also with personal services (house rental, search for third-year internships, geolocation of nearby colleagues, etc.). With the idea of ”putting unionism at the service of people”, analyzes Cyril Chabanier, who also mentions the fact of “giving more voice to employees”, leaving “more space for participatory democracy” in the company.
Trust in unions increases, although remains low
Five years later, an observation emerges: “The ‘yellow vest’ movement no longer exists” because “they have never managed to find a political solution”, while the unions “have gained credibility” after the retirement movement, stresses Guy Groux , sociologist. at the Sciences Po Political Research Center (Cevipof). Since 2018, “there has been an increase in trust in unions,” he notes. Even if he “remains weak” in the face of the media, social networks or political parties, this specialist in social conflicts puts it into perspective.
A mistrust mitigated by David Gistau (CGT), confederal secretary in charge of union life, who assures that the “yellow vests”, who saw “the need to organize collectively”, “chose to join the CGT” since 2018. The organizations Union members highlight that thanks to an unprecedented social movement against pension reform, they have registered an increase in their membership.
“After 14 days of sustained mobilization, (unionism), which was said to be mortal, moribund, even moribund, showed that it still had ardor,” say Philippe Campinchi and Denis Maillard, in a note published at the end of June for the newspaper Jean Jaurès Foundation. But there is no reason to talk about a “revenge” of 2023 compared to 2018, they point out, highlighting in particular the failure of the inter-union in the spring on pensions. And five years later, would a new “unsupervised” social movement be possible? Cevipof’s annual survey on social dialogue (2022) shows that 72% of employees believe that “to defend their interests” the best way is to “coordinate with colleagues who have similar concerns”, outside of unions.
Source: BFM TV
