A first “black Thursday” next week? Given the pension reform, the unions have already set a first mobilization date, Thursday, January 19. They all stand together and hope to start a massive and lasting movement against the government project. This is also the first time in a long time that the entire union spectrum (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, Solidaires, FSU) will show their unity in the street, something that has not happened since the pension. reform carried out by Éric Woerth, under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy.
In addition to demonstrations in the streets, the unions call strikes in administrations and companies. And they already assure it: this day will be only the starting point of a long mobilization. The inter-union will meet on the night of January 19, together with the main youth organizations, to set a next date on the calendar and plan other initiatives, while the bill will be presented to the Council of Ministers on January 23.
“We can do better” than 1995
In everyone’s memory: the massive strikes of 1995 against the Juppé plan. The country had been paralyzed for almost a month and up to two million people had taken to the streets, forcing the then government to abandon its social security measures. The mobilization could be particularly strong in certain key sectors, such as energy and transport, which are about to lose their special regimes for new entrants. The threat of renewable strikes was already raised there by the CGT.
The unions, in any case, can count on the support of the entire left. All the parties of the Nupes appear united against the reform and call to join the union mobilization of January 19. “We encourage everyone […] distribute flyers to wake up caregivers in hospitals […]to find high school teachers […], to pick up the workers in the workshops and tell them ‘it’s time’. And that moment is next Thursday, in the street behind the unions,” said Somme MP François Ruffin.
Support of 60% of the French
Support also comes from across the political spectrum. The National Group also attacks the government project -Marine Le Pen has sworn to “block” it- even though it favors a political battle in the National Assembly. Whether RN members who still want to join the demonstrations will be welcome remains to be seen, as not all unions are on the same page on this issue. “The unions are organizing this demonstration, and everyone who wants to come will come after it,” said Frédéric Souillot, from the FO side.
But will the French be there? The number of people in the streets on January 19 will be crucial for the unions, who want to set the tone for the coming weeks. According to a poll by Elabe for BFMTV, carried out after the announcement of Élisabeth Borne’s government project, 60% of French people say they support the mobilization against the pension reform. This figure rises to 67% among employees, 65% among workers, and 68% among 50-64 year-olds. Above all, 46% of the French say they are ready to mobilize in the coming weeks.
“Posters” on cars
The opposition to the pension reform could also be expressed in another way, anticipated the general secretary of Unsa, Laurent Escure. “Without a doubt there will be actions every day in companies, administrations in front of schools, hospitals and I invite everyone to show their discontent simply by putting signs on their cars, their administration.” In a January 6 note consulted by BFMTV, Territorial Intelligence explained that it feared a “social explosion” linked to the sum of current demands, such as inflation.
Source: BFM TV
