The five representative unions are received in turn for exchanges aimed at “reviving a peaceful and constructive dialogue”, according to the government.
It’s reunion time. More than a month after her last meeting with the inter-union, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, must meet, Tuesday May 16 and Wednesday May 17, the leaders of the five main unions during bilateral talks at Matignon. FO will open the ball at 6:15 p.m., followed by CFDT at 7:30 p.m. The next day, the head of government will receive the CFE-CGC at 10:45 a.m., then the CFTC at noon and the CGT at 5 p.m.
The executive wants “to re-establish a peaceful and constructive dialogue” with the social partners, without imposing on them“precise agenda”. The unions, on the other hand, intend to maintain the pressure against the pension reform and want “pledges” of the government. Here’s what’s on the menu for discussions.
Pension reform
For these first meetings with Elisabeth Borne since the promulgation of the law, the subject remains the priority of the trade unions. As soon as she accepted Matignon’s invitation on May 6, the CGT warned that she intended “reaffirm [son] requirement to withdraw from the reform”. “We will continue to say that the page has not been turned”confirms the CFTC. “The game is not completely over”wants to believe the leader of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, in an interview published Wednesday by The Obs (article reserved for subscribers).
The unions are preparing a 14th day of strikes and demonstrations, which will take place on June 6, two days before the consideration in the Assembly of a text by the Liot group aimed at repealing the reform. “This bill gives us additional time”, believes Laurent Berger. The inter-union has already written to parliamentarians to urge them to vote on the text. It must again publish, on Monday, a press release reformulating its determined opposition to the pension reform. The Prime Minister therefore knows what to expect.
Work organization
There is “lots of things to talk about” on “the quality of life at work, on the end of career, on the prevention of hardship”, lamented Elisabeth Borne, on April 5, after her meeting with the inter-union fell short for lack of progress on pensions. This time, the unions appear more open to discussion. They even develop “common demands”which will however only be finalized “in the next weeks”, according to the general secretary of the CGT, Sophie Binet. For this exchange, the CFDT already has a thick “claim book”according to its number two, Marylise Léon.
Thinking to have “things to get”Laurent Berger calls in The Obs the executive to “open the discussion on the four-day week in companies”. He sees it as an answer to “an aspiration” of the French to “Rearticulate professional and personal time”which is partly possible through teleworking, but only for “30% workers”. Among the other subjects that the unions wish to discuss, include the employment of seniors, the hardship and the reform of the RSA. “We will refuse any discussion on regressive subjects” in terms of social rights, warned Sophie Binet, Sunday in the program “The RTL-LCI-Le Figaro Grand Jury”.
“Everyone is perfectly aware of the importance of the issues: the prevention of professional wear and tear, the employment of seniors, retraining, the universal time savings account… In all these fields, I have no doubt that the trade unions and employers will want to take their responsibilities”advances the Prime Minister, in an interview with the Sunday newspaper (article reserved for subscribers). On the question of the four-day week, “The government is watching this with interest”, assures the Minister of Labour. Olivier Dussopt sees it above all “a solution for professions that lack attractiveness”.
Wages at the time of inflation
Faced with a price increase of 5.9% over one year, and even 15% for food, “we can’t not talk about inflation, purchasing power”warns the president of the CFTC, Cyril Chabanier, for whom the unions are “in a position of strength thanks to the social movement”.
The discussion could thus turn to the salary field, a source of optimism on the side of the CFDT. On this salary issue, she cites the problem of minimum “below the minimum wage” in most professions.
“Some victories are possible, especially on wages.”
Laurent Berger, general secretary of the CFDTat “L’Obs”
The leader of the CGT, Sophie Binet, is campaigning for wages “be indexed to prices”, as she reported on franceinfo on Friday. In addition, she put forward on Sunday the idea that public aid granted to companies could be subject to new conditions. “social and environmental”such as the achievement of salary increase objectives.
A new “method” of social dialogue?
Beyond the content, the form of these meetings promises to be decisive. “It takes a lot of tact in the resumption of dialogue”, confided Elisabeth Borne, Monday, to franceinfo. The Prime Minister intends “watch” to give to unions “positive signals on the method we want to put in place”. “Even after these turbulent months, I remain convinced that more space must be given to negotiation and social dialogue”she defended in The Sunday newspaper.
“We will have to have pledges” in order to “re-establishing a climate of trust”warned, at the end of April, the president of the CFE-CGC, François Hommeril.
“We are going to have this difficulty of going back, discussing, working and making proposals with people who have betrayed us and considered us badly.”
François Hommeril, president of the CFE-CGCat franceinfo, April 26
The CFDT also has requirements concerning the method. “We go back to discuss, but not under any conditions”warns the union, expressing doubts about the will of the executive to change the way of proceeding. “If things are not studied because everything is decided in advance, that does not suit us.” For its part, the CGT recalls its conditions for a peaceful social dialogue: “There will be no return to normal if this reform [des retraites] is not abandoned.”