A third of schools were closed, train and subway circulation was hit hard, and most energy sector workers were out of work. This general strike this thursday France virtually paralyzed the transport industries, Education Y Energy, as well as having a remarkable number of followers in the public service. French unions hope to hit the table against the will of the government Emmanuel Macron raise the minimum age from 62 to 64 be retired (with 42 or 43 annual contributions).
“The issue of retirement channels all discontent,” CGT secretary general Philippe Martinez said in an interview with the Public Senat channel this morning. “Today will be a day of great mobilization,” added the head of one of the most important unions in the neighboring country. hopes to take nearly a million people to the streets. For the first time since 2010, trade union organizations have formed a united front against this unpopular measure, from the moderate CFDT to the more combative CGT and Sud-Solidaires.
“They are not in France”
Until orn 66% of French people oppose the reform, according to a survey by the Elabe institute broadcast on the BFM TV network on Wednesday, which observed a significant increase in those rejecting the measure. The text, which will be presented to the Council of Ministers next Monday, will also they will need to contribute 43 years from 2027 to collect pension completeAs envisaged in current legislation instead of 2035. Those who have not been able to contribute during all that time have to retire at 67 or accept a much lower pension.
“When we do pension reform, there are always concerns. We have to listen to those concerns,” said Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt. said. But they show from the president’s party inflexible in the face of the prospect of abandoning reform (or counter-reform according to their detractors) pension system. Aurore Bergé, head of the parliamentary group responsible for Macron’s formation in the National Assembly, warned that this measure would “be accepted and come into effect”.
Coincidentally, Macron will continue this general strike from Barcelona, ​​where he met Pedro Sánchez at the Spain-France summit whose date has been set since December. “It’s the government’s decision. It’s happening in France and not in France,” Martinez said.
More than 60 percent of teachers are on strike
“about ruthless reform and we will take action Speaking to El Periódico de Catalunya of the Prensa Ibérica group, Caroline Pecqueur, teacher and activist of the SNUipp-FSU union, said, “It’s because of the injustice that the poorest and workers pay for the petty financing problems of the pension system.” The model gives a surplus, but the Executive fears it will accumulate a deficit of around 13,000m euros in 2030.
According to SNUipp-FSU, the parent organization in primary education in France, “at least one third of schools are closed” and 70% of teachers support the strike. According to the main secondary education union, 65% of high school teachers were absent from their jobs. The Ministry of Education reported fewer strikers: 42 in primary school 35% and close to 35% Pecqueur, against Macron’s pensions “We haven’t had this level of mobilization since 2019,” he says, referring to the wave of mass protests against his initial reform due to the covid-19 pandemic.
As is often the case in France on strike days, support varies considerably by sector. Crowded among railroad agents –Regional trains hardly ever travel and less than 30% of high-speed trains– and bus and metro drivers – only two robotic metro lines (out of a total of 16) operate normally in Paris – as well as workers at power plants and oil refineries (70% strikers, according to unions).
Monitoring in the private sector is much more heterogeneous. But the mobilization is supported by industries that are not traditionally so rebellious, from the diplomatic corps to employees of video game companies, through Amazon employees and Sephora salespeople. Same The Eiffel Tower did not open its doors this thursday. It is a symbol of anger over Macron’s pension reform in France.
Source: Informacion
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