Several French cities held small demonstrations on Thursday to advocate for employment and industry, coinciding with the anticipated appointment of a new Prime Minister. While Paris saw modest turnout, participants voiced concerns over layoffs and job security linked to social plans announced by major corporations. Organized by CGT, Solidaires, and FSU, these gatherings highlighted frustrations over the rising job losses, with around 300,000 jobs at risk. Mobilization efforts faced challenges, with mixed participation across regions.
On Thursday, several cities across France witnessed small gatherings and demonstrations advocating for employment and industry, as the nation anticipates the appointment of a new Prime Minister tasked with addressing urgent social issues. This comes amid a rising wave of social plans impacting various sectors.
The turnout in Paris was modest, drawing only a few thousand participants, as reported by an AFP journalist, which is a stark contrast to larger events.
However, Valérie Lefebvre-Haussmann, a bank employee and union representative, remained resolute. She attended to show support for industrial workers facing layoffs, expressing concern for her own sector as well. “In the name of profitability, agencies are closing, employees are being let go, and our salaries are stagnating,” she shared, highlighting the frustrations felt by many.
Nearby, a 37-year-old participant, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced his demand for job security amidst rampant layoffs.
These gatherings were organized by the CGT, alongside Solidaires and FSU, in response to an alarming frequency of social plans being announced by major corporations such as Auchan, Michelin, and more. These plans are affecting a wide range of industries, including metallurgy, commerce, and public services, across the country.
As of November 27, the CGT reported 286 social plans; that number has now risen to 300, with data indicating that around 300,000 jobs are at risk or already lost.
Sophie Binet, who joined employees from the Fonderies de Bretagne in Lorient, lamented, “There are social urgencies everywhere in the country,” especially with 400 jobs on the line at her location. She urged for a Prime Minister who will take these urgent social issues seriously as the nation awaits the announcement of a new leader.
– Challenges in Mobilization –
In total, the CGT has initiated 132 mobilizations across nearly 80 departments, encouraging employees to strike and occupy their workplaces to stave off layoffs. However, the response from workers has been lukewarm. “It’s complicated to mobilize when we know we have no interlocutors,” remarked a union representative who chose to remain unnamed.
Anthony Bruno, a 23-year-old railway worker in Lyon, stated, “Even if strike participation varies by company, we need to show that we must stand united.” He emphasized that workers from both public and private sectors are facing similar challenges, yet only around 200 individuals participated in the Lyon event, according to AFP.
In Nantes, the weather did not deter 1,400 participants, as reported by the prefecture, including 73-year-old retired saleswoman Danielle Stervinou, who advocated for an increase in small pensions. “I receive 759 euros per month, and with rising inflation, my pension feels like it’s shrinking,” she expressed.
In contrast to a recent strike organized by all trade unions in the public sector, this occasion saw a lack of unity among unions, further diminishing the mobilization’s impact. Only Solidaires and the FSU participated in this movement.
Force ouvrière expressed support for local initiatives but did not actively join the protests.
Train services remained generally unaffected for TGVs; however, regional trains experienced slight disruptions, with an average of eight out of ten trains running nationwide. In Île-de-France, the RER D and R lines faced the most significant delays, operating at one-third and one-fifth capacity, respectively.
Strikes also continued in the electricity and gas sector, particularly at GRT Gaz, where employees had previously mobilized strongly.