lackluster day of mobilization for the CGT

STRIKE. Low participation this Thursday, October 27 following the call for a general strike by the CGT.

[Mis à jour le 27 octobre 2022 à 17h20] The first figures fell, few responded to the call launched by the CGT. The strike of this October 27 in full period of All Saints holidays is far from equaling that of October 18 which brought together between 300,000 demonstrators according to the CGT and 107,000 according to the authorities. Only a few hundred protesters were present in Lyon, Rennes or even in Paris. At the start of the Paris demonstration, the secretary general of the CGT declared that the movements could experience “ups and downs”.

Philippe Martina called however “to maintain this pressure so that there is an increase in wages”. A day of mobilization on November 10 is planned, a strike which should be more followed because of a call from the transport unions for “zero metro, zero RER”. A strike notice has already been filed from Wednesday 9 November 10 p.m. to Friday 11 November 7 a.m.

Another reason for the potential lack of enthusiasm, this call for a strike is not national, recalled Simon Duteil, co-general delegate of the Solidaires union: “For the 27th, we decided to postpone the decision to strike and demonstrate to the departments and sectors,” the trade unionist told AFP. Unions such as FO, Solidaires and the FSU did not respond. Regardless, the appeal is launched, the CGT wants a mobilization to demand an increase in wages, in particular with indexation to inflation and an increase in the minimum wage, but also better working conditions. The CGT hopes to bring together even more employees from various private sectors.

Which sectors are affected by the strike?

The CGT Federation of Railway Workers (SNCF) has called for demonstrations, but the word strike does not appear in its communicated. No disruption is expected in public transport (trains, buses and subways in particular). Transportation disruptions are minimal. Transport sites such as the SCNF must indicate the planned disruptions 48 hours in advance; this Thursday, October 27, nothing is indicated on the SNCF site suggesting very few real disturbances. If in doubt, check directly on the websites of the company concerned.

Primary school teachers (nursery, elementary and primary schools) also have the obligation to respect a notice period of 48 hours, the establishments concerned had to communicate on their participation in the movement. For secondary school teachers, there is no obligation to notify in advance of participation in the strike movement.

The public service has also been invited to join the movement, indicated the CGT in a press release, the field of culture should also join the movement; a strike notice has been filed at Radio France, the station’s programs will therefore be slightly disrupted on this day of October 27, the employees wishing wage increases, better unemployment insurance and an improvement in the pension system.

Images of the October 27 mobilization

The mobilization day does not seem to bring together many activists this Thursday, October 27, according to the first images, the ranks appear sparse. The figures will most likely be below the figures announced for the strike of October 18, which brought together between 300,000 and 107,000 demonstrators.

More strikes planned?

In a communicated, the trade union movement indicates a mobilization on November 10. This inter-professional strike is likely to be followed at a higher level than that of October 27. Indeed, a “black” day is expected, especially in transport. In the press release from the RATP unions, the objective of this day of November 10 is to achieve “0 metro, 0 RER”.

The demands of the CGT

Among the main demands, the union is calling for an increase in the minimum wage to €2,000 gross per month; the introduction of a sliding salary scale, ie the indexation of salaries and pensions to inflation. The CGT also wants the protests to lead to better working conditions, improved social protection and higher pensions.

Céline Verzeletti, union official of the CGT announced that she wanted to “maintain the pressure, allow the employees who are struggling to find themselves in a demonstration point. In the boxes where there was mobilization, the wage increases were more significant “has she declared.

Are the political parties mobilized?

Friday, October 21, the national secretary of the Communist Party, Fabien Roussel, said in a tweet: “Let’s get together, let’s unite on October 27 and November 10. The PCF will do everything possible to call on employees, students and retirees to mobilize”, without specifying whether he was going to take to the streets himself. And to specify on BFMTV: “We will continue this showdown, this fight, until the government agrees to ensure that all wages evolve at the same level as inflation.”

For his part, the founder of France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, did not call for demonstrations on October 27. In an article by his blog dated October 22, 2022, it indicates that rebellious France will now distance itself from the mobilizations organized by the CGT: “The trade union confederations each have their reasons for refusing joint politico-social action. This seems insurmountable. It is therefore better to give up to avoid wasting time or creating unnecessary tension.” he wrote. In this note published by the left-wing politician, he estimated with his activists that “even when remarks as sectarian as those of Philippe Martinez are made and repeated, they should not be replied to”.