“If he tells us that he receives us on related subjects, we do not want to go there”, answers the FSU

“If he tells us that he receives us on related subjects, we do not want to go there”, said Friday March 24 on franceinfo Benoît Teste, secretary general of the FSU, in response to Emmanuel Macron. Traveling to Brussels during a European Council, the President of the Republic said to himself “available to the inter-union” once the Constitutional Council has rendered its decision on the pension reform.

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The Head of State clarified that he was ready to talk about professional wear and tear, end of career, retraining, career development, or even working conditions. “We will not talk about anything other than what is requested by people”specifies Benoît Teste, “duration of contribution and postponement of the legal age, these are the two main demands that have been made for a long time now in the streets, in strikes, in actions”, recalls the trade unionist.

“Manipulation and political calculation”

The President of the Republic’s proposal to receive the unions is “still twisted”, judges the secretary general of the FSU. “He’s the same guy who told us a few days ago that he wouldn’t see us.” He recalls that there is “a country in turmoil” and that the Head of State explains, “on all these subjects that you are talking about, it’s impossible to talk and so I’m going to create a diversion and I’m going to see you on something else”.