social partners angry with Bruno Le Maire on unemployment insurance

Union and employer leaders met on Wednesday to denounce the government’s attitude surrounding the ongoing negotiations on unemployment insurance.

“It’s starting to get annoying to negotiate with a gun behind your head”. The words are from Michel Picon, president of U2P, which represents the smallest businesses, and sets the tone for the meeting set in the heart of negotiations on unemployment insurance. In front of the Association of Social Information Journalists (Ajis), business and union leaders gathered around the same table to denounce the government’s speech on unemployment insurance.

Theoretically, they still have a week to agree, but a “evil genius hovers over this negotiation”, according to Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT. Message directly addressed to the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire, who does not hesitate to put pressure on them. If the unions and employers do not agree, he will take control.

“When Bruno Le Maire gives us his opinion on the ‘more or less generous’ French social model… Nobody is interested in his opinion on the subjectthunders François Hommeril of the CFE CGC. Bruno Le Maire is an important government minister. He must put himself at the service of what France is.”

“MPs and politicians tell us clearly when we debate with them: employment and unemployment are two issues that get them elected or cause them to lose elections. We are beyond a threat.” Cyril Chabanier, the president of the CFTC, is concerned. According to him, taking back control of unemployment insurance is a much more popular maneuver in public opinion than, for example, taking control of Agirc-Arcco, the private supplementary pension.

Do not leave the “money” in the hands of the State

Beyond unemployment insurance, unions are worried that other prerogatives will escape them in the future. The social partners manage several other organizations: social security funds, family allowances, supplementary pensions, professional training… A “hoard” of 235 billion euros, according to François Hommeril of the CFE CGC.

“We must not leave the keys to the truck to the State because the State and politics are what they are today. We do not know what they will be tomorrow and the country needs balance “, believes the president of Medef Patrick Martin.

On the CFTC side, we recall that Emmanuel Macron said it, from his first days in power: “He no longer wants social partners around him”, he wants them in companies. The general secretary of the CFDT Marylise Léon once again called on the government to share power with those who represent employees and employers.