The theme of pensions is making a strong comeback on union banners. News requires, it is at the heart of the demands made by the CGT, the FSU and Solidaires, during a day of interprofessional action, Thursday, September 29, across the whole territory. When it was announced at the beginning of the summer, this initiative mainly put forward the purchasing power, amputated by inflation. This watchword continues to appear on the first line of the list of grievances, but is now intertwined with another concern: the duration of professional careers, which the executive wants to lengthen by means of a reform of the pension, the content and timetable of which remain unclear. A slogan sums up the ambient state of mind well: “Raise wages, not the retirement age”.
Thursday, more than 200 rallies are scheduled throughout France. Strikes, demonstrations, walkouts… All the CGT federations, both public and private, have been invited to pound the pavement. In addition to the three employee unions at the forefront of the fight, several student and high school movements have responded: the UNEF, the FIDL, the MNL, Voix lycéenne.
In Paris, it was expected that the procession would start from Place Denfert-Rochereau and take the direction of the Bastille. The work stoppages in the national education system were also to result in the closure of many establishments, in particular in the capital and in several agglomerations. The RATP, for its part, expected significant disruption on its bus network and on line B of the RER. “We feel a fairly combative dynamic among the employees”, believes Céline Verzeletti, confederal secretary of the CGT, alluding to the multiple conflicts that have erupted in companies about the pay slip. For her, this day of action on Thursday is a step. “There will be others”she says, the goal being to put lasting pressure on the bosses and the public authorities.
“Raise the balance of power”
The desire to protest is increased tenfold by the executive’s pension plan: lowering the age of entitlement or increasing the contribution period? Adoption of the measures in the fall – for entry into force during the summer of 2023 – or in a more distant period, after a real consultation? Whatever options are chosen, the organizations involved in the fight are against it and seek “to mobilize on this, by pressing on the procrastination of the government, with the aim of raising the balance of power”explains Benoît Teste, Secretary General of the FSU. “The question of pensions is in the minds of many peopleobserves Murielle Guilbert, general co-delegate of Solidaires. There is a threat that can add social anger. »
You have 55.75% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.