Recent resignations of key figures and the Prime Minister’s dismissal of reverting the retirement age to 62 have created uncertainty ahead of the upcoming pension conclave. Union representatives will discuss critical issues like professional wear and tear, while the CGT union announced its withdrawal from negotiations. Despite the turmoil, the Economy Minister remains hopeful for an agreement. Polls indicate public support for a censure motion against the government and favor a return to the 62 retirement age, highlighting ongoing tensions in pension discussions.
To halt or continue? The recent departures of key members and the Prime Minister’s remarks, which seem to dismiss the possibility of reverting the retirement age to 62, have stirred significant uncertainty around the upcoming ‘conclave’ on pensions. This meeting, set to provide social partners with the opportunity to enhance the 2023 reform, is scheduled for Thursday.
On the 20th and 27th of March, both trade union and employer representatives will gather to deliberate on ‘professional wear and tear and hardship’, two crucial issues that unions are particularly passionate about.
However, in light of recent events, Pascale Coton, a negotiator for the CFTC, expressed her concerns to AFP, stating, “I fear changes may come.”
The situation is further complicated by the announcement from Sophie Binet, the leader of the CGT, which is the second largest trade union, declaring that her organization would be exiting the negotiation process.
“The Prime Minister and the employers have ultimately put an end to this conclave. This is a serious matter, especially since the Prime Minister promised that these discussions would be ‘without totem or taboo’,” Sophie Binet explained during an interview on France2.
Despite the turmoil, Economy Minister Eric Lombard remained optimistic on TF1 Thursday morning, stating, “I believe an agreement is within reach. Organizations that have stepped away can rejoin the discussions if they find the agreement suitable.”
The fragile nature of these negotiations was further shaken by recent statements from the Prime Minister, who deemed a return to a retirement age of 62 ‘impossible’ during addresses in Parliament.
“I simply reminded everyone that our goal should be restoring balance to the pension system by 2030,” he remarked, adding, “In my view, we cannot revert to 62, abolish the pension reform, and still achieve financial equilibrium,” he pleaded in vain before the senators on Wednesday.
“The age of 62 is the pivotal issue. By stating this, the Prime Minister not only goes back on his word but also betrays millions of workers who rallied for the repeal of the pension reform throughout 2023,” responded Sophie Binet.
An Elabe poll conducted for BFMTV released on Wednesday revealed that 50% of respondents support a motion of censure against François Bayrou’s government regarding pensions in the coming weeks, with 56% of the French population favoring a return to the age of 62, a decrease from 62% in January.
– A Heavy Burden to Bear –
“We need to engage in discussions about retirement age. It’s the core issue at hand. This is why we mobilized and sought to resume dialogues,” remarked Marylise Léon, head of the CFDT.
Given these circumstances, she clarified that her organization remains committed to negotiations and now seeks to “free itself” from the government’s guiding framework, advocating for a different conclave.
“This is a crucial moment for workers, and they require representatives who act with responsibility,” she assessed.
Nonetheless, the consultations surrounding pensions, which commenced at the end of February and are intended to last three months, are now facing significant obstacles.
Force ouvrière, the third largest trade union, walked away from negotiations during the inaugural meeting on February 27, labeling it a ‘masquerade’ following François Bayrou’s call to restore financial balance to the pension system by 2030, which includes seeking an additional 6.6 billion in savings compared to the demands made to social partners in January.
In stark contrast to union positions, U2P, the smallest of the three employer organizations representing artisans, merchants, and liberal professions, also withdrew from the ‘conclave’ on Tuesday, denouncing the negotiations as a ‘game of dupes.’
This organization argues that achieving balance within the pension system will necessitate extending the legal retirement age beyond 64 years, except for those in challenging occupations.
Medef, the largest employer organization, conveyed on Wednesday through its president, Patrick Martin, that it aims to “give discussions a chance,” while asserting that “all social partners, particularly politicians, must recognize the critical state of public finances.”