For a referendum on pension reform?
This is what the unions seem to be asking for.
Shortly before the start of the Paris demonstration this Saturday, on this seventh day of national mobilization against the government project, the leaders of the power stations suggested to Emmanuel Macron to "
consult
the people
" on his reform.
In particular the strategic points of raising the legal retirement age (from 62 to 64) and accelerating the increase in the contribution period to 43 years.
“
Since he is so sure of himself, he consults the citizens!
“, declared, bravado, Philippe Martinez, the secretary general of the CGT.
"
There must be a consultation of the citizens of this country
" on the reform, he hammered.
“
The government uses the weapons at its disposal, everyone uses theirs!
“, noted, meanwhile, Frédéric Souillot, his counterpart of Force Ouvrière (FO).
“
We say, in inter-union, since social democracy is not listened to, it is perhaps necessary to go towards the consultation of the citizens.
It is an option that exists
, ”said Laurent Berger, the boss of the CFDT.
LIVE - Pensions: unions denounce Emmanuel Macron's "arm of honor"
An "arm of honor" from Emmanuel Macron
The union leaders also expressed their anger at the Head of State's refusal to accept their request to meet him.
From now on, they no longer hold back their blows.
"
Contempt
", "
arrogance
", "
arm of honor
", even "
double arm of honor
"... The bosses of the power stations no longer hide their annoyance in the face of a totally blocked social situation.
“
The determination has gone beyond the stage of big anger
,” said Philippe Martinez.
Like his counterparts in other structures, the number one of the CGT said he was worried about the evolution of the social movement.
"
The government is taking the risk that citizens will say to themselves: what more do we need to do to get them to listen to us?
[...].
The answer of the President of the Republic is: “screw you”
, launched the head of the Montreuil plant, in a tone without appeal.
“
The feeling of the employees is that they have been given a finger of honor
”, also grumbled Laurent Berger on his side.
"
I implore those who run this country to get out of this form of denial of the social movement
", he insisted, evoking a form of "
stunned
" in the face of the end of inadmissibility of the President of the Republic.
“
They don't even receive us, so what does it cost to receive us!
“, also sighed Benoît Teste, the secretary general of the FSU.