It was the holidays, all the unions expected there to be fewer people for the demonstrations against the pension reform Thursday, February 16 after the day of last Saturday. In addition, the date of the next mobilization on March 7 was already set. But, yesterday, for the trade unions, it was a question, especially of maintaining the pressure on the government at the time when the national assembly examines the text. Yesterday, By choosing to parade in Albi, in the Tarn, the union leaders also wanted to put the spotlight on the territories to show Paris that the small towns are very mobilized, just to put further pressure on the deputies.
Finally, the objective of the day yesterday was also to satisfy the most radical, those who in the unions, in particular at the CGT, believe that the movement is not offensive enough. It was a way of making them wait until March 7.
On the other hand, on March 7, the unions hope to have people, it is really on this date that they concentrate all their forces. Everyone, including the most reformist, like the CFDT, is talking about bringing France to a standstill.
Hard strikes in transport, refineries, closed schools, demonstrations and the movement risks being renewed since on March 8, international women’s rights day, there will also be actions to point out the injustices of the reform on women. And between now and March 7, the unions plan to write to each parliamentarian to ask them not to pass the law. Finally, they continue to encourage the French to sign the online petition, it exceeded one million signatures yesterday.
Towards a convergence of struggles?
It’s not the first time that Nupes has dreamed of a joint meeting with the unions, but it’s not that simple. Proof of this is: FO and the CGT were to meet the Nupes on Wednesday February 15 and in the end, it didn’t happen. Officially, the meeting has been postponed. Above all, the CFDT had not planned to participate. However, Laurent Berger, who has established himself as the leader of the movement, ensures that he stands out from the political staff. He doesn’t want to be manipulated. And his voice counted, FO and the CGT, changed their minds. The preservation of union unity will therefore have been stronger. No other date has been mentioned.