At the front of the procession, Corinne carefully observes the leaders of the eight confederations, gathered behind a banner before the start of the Paris demonstration, place d'Italie (13th).
"For once they are united, it's good to see," she says.
The specialist educator in Seine-Saint-Denis “held” to pound the pavement a second time for the second interprofessional mobilization against the pension reform.
She had already filled the ranks of the procession twelve days ago.
“And I will still be there for the following ones, whatever the days decided, warns Corinne.
This reform is the last straw, we can't let it pass!
All French people must take to the streets!
»
“We are more numerous than twelve days ago”
In the imposing procession which overflows onto the adjoining avenues, novices, young and accustomed to demonstrations, mingle once again.
“The world of work in all its diversity is there.
The mobilization today is largely as important as that of January 19, welcomes Laurent Berger, secretary general of the CFDT.
I invite MPs to watch what is happening in their constituency, and hear the anger of their constituents!
»
“We are more numerous than twelve days ago, engages Philippe Martinez, general secretary of the CGT.
Now is the time for the government to hear the anger.
If he prefers to continue in the balance of power and arm wrestling, the tension will rise.
»
#manifestation31January “Sacred Union”, ACT II.
pic.twitter.com/jhVYbf4FWn
— Victor Tassel (@victor_tassel) January 31, 2023
Corinne feels "ready" to go all the way, and "undergo" massive strikes, including in transport.
“Without hardening, we won't get anything,” she thinks.
I will be supportive, even if it causes inconvenience in my daily life.
»
A few meters away, between the flags of Unsa and CGT, Pascal and Paula, pension fund employees, are taking part in a demonstration for the first time.
The two colleagues aged 53 and 54 were convinced by the "impressive" figures of the first mobilization.
“We could not stay at home, working from home.
Everyone must unite to hope to roll back the government,” says Paula.
"Determined" to participate in future social movements, they are concerned, however, about the possible repercussions of repeated strikes on public opinion.
"Blocking everything can be useful," says Pascal.
I will be in solidarity, but this risks turning against us.
If the French are too embarrassed, they will start to get fed up and that will benefit the government.
"Not sure," said Éric, 59, for his part.
This sales administrator at Orange had not demonstrated for "a good ten years".
“The government is raising its voice, the unions too”
He too had missed the first demonstration.
“I am a father, I have children to feed.
Difficult to draw a line under days of salary, ”underlines the inhabitant of Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis) cap screwed on the head.
He remembers the strikes in 1995, against the pension reform of Alain Juppé's government, where everyone "united against the project".
“At the time, there had been hard and long actions, and the population had not been returned.
Polls say that three-quarters of French people oppose the reform.
Why would they change their minds if the country is locked down?
asks Eric.
The government is raising its voice, the unions too.
It's the answer of the cock to the donkey!
»
#manifestationJanuary31 Catherine and Lionel, 61 and 63, "represent" their two children.
“Financially, it's too hard for them to strike.
We come in Solidarity with future generations, like the 19th and following.
Reform is needed, but not this one.
pic.twitter.com/chVVerKSS9
— Victor Tassel (@victor_tassel) January 31, 2023
“Strike professionals”, Lionel and Catherine, 63 and 61, share the same state of mind.
" One must know what one wants !
To make the government back down, you have to be ready to go far, ”says Lionel, a former truck driver.
The retirees, from Arpajon (Essonne), came to “represent” their two children, affected by the reform.
“Financially, it's very hard for them to strike, so we come in their place!
summarizes Catherine.
The unions should decide on a weekend demonstration, so that all the workers can come.
“We must be in solidarity with the new generation, adds her husband.
Only by blocking things will move.
»
