A whole symbol. For this fourth interprofessional mobilization against the pension reform, it is the railway workers of the SNCF and the agents of the RATP, on the front line since December 5, who opened the Parisian demonstration. Red flags of the CGT railway workers and green of Sud Rail, at the head of the procession, to mark their 36th day of strike. A record!
"Tomorrow ( Editor's note: Friday ) we will be 37 days in a row," said a group of railway workers, all smiles, awkwardly trying to represent this number with their fingers. "It's historic," continues one of them. Last year, against the rail reform, we had 36 days but it was intermittent. This time, it is 36 days in a row and tomorrow with 37 days, we will be the champions of the strike any category. "
A swagger. Because behind this glory, it is indeed the nervousness and the anger, which rises from the base to the very head of the unions. "We have a meeting Friday with the government, I do not know at the time when I speak to you ( Editor's note: Thursday, 2 p.m. ), neither the time, the place nor even with whom I have an appointment, details Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT. And I even just learned that the bill will be presented to the press before the unions even. It's still weird, isn't it? ".
With the same cold anger, the leader of FO, Yves Veyrier exhorts: "Act 2 of this government would be that it hears and that it calms ... Finally. Because after 36 days of strike, the anger is still there. The French are mainly opposed to this reform. "
"The government is pursuing a policy of fracture"
Around the “square” of union leaders, CGT, FO, CFE CGC and FSU who all demand the withdrawal of the pension reform by points, slogans are blowing. "Neither bus nor submissive," brandishes an RATP agent. "No truce until withdrawal," harangues this railroad worker. "No to retreaticides," shouts this teacher.
Attac - Association for the taxation of financial transactions and for citizen action - stages BlackRock, the world's leading asset manager, in the form of three huge black crows that revolve around the retirement of the French. “It is not a view of the mind, it is reality, insists Laurent, an activist from Attac who animates one of the puppets. This American company has understood that this reform is the end of the PAYG pension and the development of funded retirement. "
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VIDEO. The strikers will continue "until the reform goes away"
François Hommeril, the general secretary of CFE-CGC, who slammed the door Wednesday, with the CGT and FSU, of the meeting on the arduousness in the public service, criticizes "the lack of openness of this government". "He says he is ready to talk, but he spends his time speeding up the implementation of his project. It has a policy of fracture. "
While the executive is urging the unions opposed to the reform by points to take a step forward, the FSU through the voice of its secretary general, Benoît Teste, questions: "Is he making efforts? That it already removes the pivotal age. Today, everyone has understood that this reform was neither fair nor equitable. It is only the government that has self-persuaded the contrary. "
