This is the first time in 12 years: the unions will present a united front against the pension reform carried out by the government, which consists in particular in postponing the legal retirement age – currently set at 62 – to 64 by 2030. The last time such a situation occurred? In 2010, to jointly oppose… a pension reform. Led by the Minister of Labor Éric Woerth, it consisted of extending the legal age of departure from 60 to 62 years.
From the Paris Labor Exchange, where the heads of the different centrals met on Tuesday, the general secretary of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, launched the starting gun for a “powerful mobilization over time.” It will begin next Thursday, January 19, with a day of strikes and demonstrations.
1995, “a good reference”
The presence of the CFDT, the first union in France and perceived as a reformer, is not insignificant. However, it is anything but a surprise, since Laurent Berger has reiterated in recent days his opposition to a measure on the age of majority. Contrary to this union revolt, 59% of the French are against the reform of the executive according to a latest poll by Elabe for BFMTV.
The unions are waiting for a new version of 1995. At that time, 2 million French people took to the streets to protest against the Juppé plan on pensions and social security. The mobilization had paralyzed the country for almost a month.
“Now is the time”
In their fight against the executive’s bill, the unions will be able to count on the support of the left. In Parliament of course, but also in the street, unlike the elected deputies of the National Group who are not welcome in the demonstrations as indicated by the CGT, although the far-right party is also opposed to the reform.
Present in the 11th arrondissement of Paris for a joint meeting with other Nupes officials such as Fabien Roussel, Mathilde Panot or Marine Tondelier, François Ruffin explained the procedure to follow to the BFMTV microphone.
RN wants to “lead the opposition to the pension reform”
The left has already planned several events. Before January 19, the Nupes organize a joint meeting on the 17th at the Japy gym, in the XI arrondissement of Paris. Later, the rebels participate with youth organizations in another mobilization against the government’s plan on January 21. In the absence, however, of the other leftist parties.
Finally, the disobedient rejected from the new management of La France insoumiselike François Ruffin, Clémentine Autain or Alexis Corbière, will be present in Bobigny on the 16th next February for a joint meeting.
Absent from the streets, the RN wants to “take the lead in opposing the pension reform,” explained the president of this political party, Jordan Bardella, during his wishes to the press this Tuesday. According to the MEP “the motion of censure will be the moment of truth”, unlike “blockades in the street”, which “often penalize the French who work”.
Source: BFM TV
