They are metro drivers, unionized or not, activists on the front lines or behind the scenes, but they all have in common that they have been on strike for 38 days now, without interruption, against the pension reform. A historically long movement at RATP, and which, faced with the risk of shortness of breath, these agents wanted to explain better by describing their daily lives as strikers and subway drivers far from the image of privileged people that are sometimes attached to them.
"This strike, we do not do it for us, it must be said. Most of us are not affected by the reform (Editor's note: more than 70% of drivers will keep their current special scheme) . We lose a lot, but if we don't do it, everyone will lose a lot more afterwards, ”insists Sammy, a driver on line 5, a striker and not unionized. With fifteen colleagues, they improvised a press conference on Tuesday. An unusual initiative for these shadowy workers, without union labels, without spokespersons experienced in shocking statements in the media. But with the will to hammer their slogan: "Strike until withdrawal. "
"We have bills to pay, some are exposed, the agios are starting to fall," recognizes Luc, driver on line 5. "The fight is also physical. The typical day is getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning, we go on pickets. Then we tow in front of the schools, in the markets. And we return in the afternoon when the metro reopens. We have to make our voices heard, ”he continues. “It's hard, you shouldn't hide it. We thought it would last ten days. But now we are determined, we can't stop, ”admits Sammy.
Tense atmosphere and serious mines
The day after the big demo organized this Thursday, the strikers of lines 5 and 7 have an appointment for their traditional general assembly. Every 3 days or so since December 5, they meet in this somewhat gloomy underground car park in Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis), the only location they benefit from. About a hundred of them are gathered. The atmosphere is tense, serious mines.
The day before, during the demonstration, striking colleagues were placed in police custody. A metro driver, for her part, was clubbed without reason by the police. The event has re-mobilized some, but for others, weariness is emerging. “There should be no illusions, the project will not be withdrawn. We have to start thinking about us and negotiate with the RATP, ”says a management agent.
Bargaining means in particular obtaining a staggered number of strike days. "In 1995, Fabrice remembers, we had gone on strike for 21 days, we had obtained an agreement to have two paydays per month withdrawn. Nothing of all that is planned for the moment, one assures the direction of the RATP.
Some give up for lack of finances
In the meantime, all supporters are welcome. "We are very encouraged, we are thanked," says Luc. It is a baker who comes to bring them croissants, a farmer in a yellow vest who deposits cider and apples. Or a teacher from a nearby La Courneuve establishment who came to the GA to announce to these "heroes and heroines" that he too was going on an indefinite strike.
Good for morale, but not really for finances. The issue of strike funds often comes up. "Redistribution is complicated," confirms Luc. There are thousands of cases in fact. »Some small ones to pay for coffee. For the main ones, you must make a request by filling in a file. Nothing has been paid yet.
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Caught by this reality, some let go of the movement. Friday, on lines 5 and 7, there was more unanimity among drivers. The GA voted to extend the strike until Monday, minus two votes against and a handful of abstentions. Some admit to continuing "out of pride", many say they are disgusted by the government's "contempt". Everyone will meet this Monday morning for a new GA in the underground car park. For a 40th day of strike.