Philippe Martinez is confident on the eve of the first day of mobilization against the pension reform.
The secretary general of the CGT expects “a lot of people on strike, in the street”.
Asked this Wednesday on France 2, he sees even further.
“It's a first day.
When we say that, it means that there will be others.
Relaunched to find out if he wants a renewable strike, he replies: “wherever possible”.
🔴🗣️ "I wish for a renewable movement wherever possible and I appeal to President Macron's responsibility"
Philippe Martinez, Secretary General of @lacgtcommunique.
#Les4V #greve19janvier #ReformeDesRetraites pic.twitter.com/dWQUeSSHIb
— Telematin (@telematin) January 18, 2023
While several politicians call for responsibility not to block the country, he replies.
“We can also appeal to the responsibility of the President of the Republic and the government.
When we say the day after his re-election
I have changed I will listen
, I believe that there is a way to listen.
He adds that "the idea of blocking is something that is done to scare".
“When, in a company, no one is working, it doesn't work.
It's not a blockage, it's a strike, ”he says.
Read also“The issue of pensions is so enormous”: Thursday January 19, they will demonstrate for the first time
Philippe Martinez, if he refuses to concede that a reform of the pay-as-you-go pension system is necessary, defends the idea of an "improvement".
“If the seniors stay until the legal age, we will have more contributions”, he puts forward.
According to him, the employment of older employees, "it's good for employment and retirement".
And to point the finger at the employment of seniors provided for by the government in its project: “if there are no sanctions, it has no consequence”.
“It is only the world of work that we ask for efforts, not billionaires”
He also opposes his idea of improving the current functioning to that of the executive power.
“The PAYG system is very good.
But it is not by working more that we will improve it.
He takes the example of employees he says he recently met.
“I was last week in a textile company.
I was told there:
Those who offer us to work for two more years have never set foot in the job!
»
Moreover, he acquiesces to the question of whether the government takes the unions “for fools”.
"Telling us that it's better, when the vast majority will leave later..."
He also regrets that the slider for postponing the retirement age is the one used by the government and not that of an increase in contributions or a contribution from the highest assets.
“It is only the world of work that is asked for effort, not billionaires.
»
Read alsoRetirement reform: legal age, minimum pension and special schemes… Elisabeth Borne's announcements
The union official also returned to the threats of targeted power cuts.
“Do you think it's reassuring when we say
it doesn't matter, you'll be working longer
?
he pretends to wonder.
He suggests that electricians and gas companies go “to see the beautiful properties of billionaires.
It would be good if we cut off their electricity for a few days so that they can put themselves in the shoes of the French who are in fuel poverty.
He also suggests “Robin Hood operations”, that is to say the resupply of energy to people who are deprived of it for unpaid bills.
Regarding the conduct and security of the events scheduled for Thursday, Philippe Martinez guarantees that "we ensure the security of the processions".
However, he is worried about possible violence, which would take up more space in the public debate than the claims.
Finally, he said he was in favor of the presence of political leaders, but "in support", not in the front line.
In the specific case of the elected members of the National Rally, he promises that he himself will not take them out of the procession where he will be present.
But he warns: “We do not have the same values as the elected officials of the RN.
We don't want racists.
»
