Dresses of lawyers thrown to the ground, Emmanuel Macron heckled in the theater, the Minister of Culture forced to give up taking his vows, LREM deputies taken to task, etc. New forms of action are multiplying, competing with traditional manifestations. Are the union centers, both reformist and protesters, caught up?
The secretary general of the CGT, Philippe Martinez, refuses to see it as a challenge to unionism and avoids talking about radicalization. On the contrary, he welcomes additional actions, also rebels against the “CGT bashing” and avails himself of real popular support: “This morning again, at the bakery, a customer slipped me a 50-euro note for the CGT solidarity fund of strikers ”.
Do you condemn what happened to Emmanuel Macron, heckled during a theater outing on Friday evening?
PHILIPPE MARTINEZ. What shocks me is the use of violence. We have to check what happened, a lot of things are being said ... But if it's just a protest rally, that doesn't shock me at all.
Marlène Schiappa evokes from a "violent insurrectionary climate", what do you say to her?
The government and the majority should be more reserved. When an LREM deputy calls us “terrorists” on the day of the commemoration of Charlie’s attack ), it does not contribute to a serene climate… Especially when we know the links of the CGT with Wolinski and Charb, who drew each week in our newspaper. Whenever a government loses the debate of ideas, it diverts attention from violence. Yellow vests have also experienced this.
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The images of the fire at La Rotonde, a popular restaurant by Emmanuel Macron, are shocking…
We do not yet know the circumstances. But, I repeat, we condemn any form of violence. But to be very clear: there is fed up with “CGT bashing” ! We do not have to wear the hat of everything that is going on in the country. As soon as there is a problem, we target CGT activists.
Have you had any recent contact with Laurent Berger?
Yes, I sent him a support text earlier this week after the attacks on him. And I phoned her as soon as I learned of the invasion of the CFDT headquarters on Friday. He confirmed to me, contrary to what was said, that no CGT activist had participated. We too are bullied. I receive hate messages: "Dirty Spanish, go back to your country". Not to mention the threats against our headquarters.
Shouldn't some of your activists be called to restraint?
We ask our activists to beware of provocations that may be made to them.
The private sector does not shift. Have you failed to lead the convergence of struggles?
Private sector workers face enormous pressure. However, there are many strikes in the pharmaceutical industry, in the metallurgy. Employees in the private sector are mobilizing, but not yet enough.
We observe more and more individual initiatives in processions, the Unsa RATP calls for the suspension of the strike… Is the movement eluding you?
Not at all. It only shows that employees have the imagination to show their dissatisfaction. The strike recreates the bond, it is a moment of brotherhood where the collective takes over the individual. I am pleased that these values persist. The President of the Republic should be proud to be in a country where there is solidarity while he advocates the first of the rope and individual success, quite the opposite. As for the press release from Unsa RATP, I would remind you that it is the general assemblies that will discuss the consequences of the movement on Monday morning.
Where are your discussions with the government, when the text will be presented to the Council of Ministers on January 24?
We have no discussions with the government, contrary to what he seems to be saying. And yet we ask simple questions: what is a full career, to touch at least the 1000 euros? No one in government is able to answer me. Imagine, I had more contact with Jean-Paul Delevoye than with his successor!
The deadline is approaching, what can still turn the situation in your favor?
We must continue the mobilization, the initiatives. Among the LREM deputies themselves, mood swings are felt. Going from the pivotal age to the age of equilibrium is still DIY, some elected officials of the majority have understood this.
