Unions call for two more protests
May 26 and June 13 have been earmarked by the leading unions for more action by workers across France.
FRANCE’S eight leading unions are calling for more national protests, on May 26 and June 13.
The protests are in the context of dissatisfaction over the government’s and bosses’ handling of the economic crisis.
In a statement after a five-hour meeting, the unions said: “We are calling on members to make May 26 a decentralised day of action of different kinds depending on the local situation, aiming at a maximum participation.”
These could include protests, walkouts, meetings or petitions, suggested the CGT’s Maryse Dumas.
The unions are also calling for a “big day of protests” for the whole of France on June 13. In the next few days they will put forward a list of propositions on which they want rapid responses from the government and bosses.
The unions aim to show that they are unified in their discontent and demands.
Marches on May 1 gathered an estimated 456,000 – 1.2 million, but this fell short of the participation on March 19 and January 29, which was about twice as much.
The government has taken this as a sign that workers are getting tired of repeated protest days, however turnout on public holiday protests is typically lower.
Work Minister Brice Hortefeux said that in the summer he plans to evaluate the results of the various anti-crisis measures already taken, in partnership with the unions. However the unions have decided to keep the pressure up.
Marcel Grignard of the CFDT said they wanted, with the June 13 day, to “have a day with a wide-ranging impact, to strike a big blow before the summer and gain real results.”
Photo: Tedencies
