unions launch training to counter far-right discourse

Faced with the rise in power of the RN, particularly among employees who are sometimes members of unions, the latter decided to fight back. They offer training sessions to learn how to fight against the ideas and arguments of the National Rally.

While the list led by Jordan Bardella is at the top of the polls for the European elections, the unions are increasing initiatives to try to dissuade employees from voting for the National Rally. An RN which increasingly influences employees, including those who say they are close to unions or who are members.

Several power stations denounce what they call “social imposture” of the RN, and the CGT for example considers that the fight against far-right ideas is an absolute priority. To counter this growing influence, the Visa association, which notably brings together the FSU, Solidaires and numerous CGT unions, strives to raise awareness among union activists of the fight against the far right.

A book and practical advice

We attended one of these training sessions in Carcassonne (Aude). From the start of the session, the facilitator puts a chill on the audience. Of Marine Le Pen’s 13 million voters in 2022, there were many employees, surely union members, probably some they know well.

And without further ado we move on to practical work in small groups. “You learn that an activist from your union is present on an RN list in the municipal elections, what are you doing as a union?” says a participant. “He has to choose, it’s incompatible,” responds a participant.

“I know some. You can be on an RN list without being a member of the RN. I saw it in the campaign.”

A participant

in the working group

“What is his path? Is it a choice, or is it out of friendship? asks a speaker. Have we highlighted this issue sufficiently? We can’t get away with it either.”

Many admit that they do not always know what to say to a colleague close to the RN, and in certain cases avoid dialogue. Patricia, medical secretary and CGT activist, thinks that unions should be more vigilant. “We can find ourselves confronted with colleagues who have ideas from the RN, including in the union, she recognizes. It’s very complicated, so we have to do prevention, including among our young people. We have to explain to them what the union is for, that it is not personal but collective, with ideas and values.”

Each activist leaves with a small book and practical advice such as “accept dialogue” and “never get angry”. For trainer Hervé, the unions must resume work that has been abandoned for too long.

“After April 21, 2002, when Jean-Marie Le Pen was in the second round, when he was beaten, we thought that the work had been done, and that it was certain for employees that the extreme right was mortal danger.”

Hervé, trainer

at franceinfo

“We certainly made a mistake, all unions combined, to consider that the fight against the National Front was an achievement, he adds. Well no, that’s not true, we always have to work on these issues on the basis of our union values.” The session ends with one last piece of advice: to fight an opponent well, you must know him well and therefore read his publications and from time to time listen to his speeches.