A summer without real discussion on pension reform? If this scenario becomes reality, the unions will not complain. Twenty-four hours after taking office, the Minister of Labour, Olivier Dussopt, who is in charge of the file, indicated on May 24 that consultation with the social partners would begin in ” september “ or in ” october “ and not just after Emmanuel Macron’s victory, as mentioned during the presidential campaign. For the organizations of employees, this reprieve shows that the power in place has taken into account their hostility to the idea of pushing back the age of opening of pension rights. But they do not cry victory for all that.
Shortly before the declarations of the Minister of Labor, Laurent Berger had asked that the subject not be put on the table today. The message launched by the secretary general of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor (CFDT) seems to have been heard. “It seems to me much wiser not to start this project right now”, he confides. According to the cedist official, “the urgency of the moment is purchasing power, which is at the center of the concerns of very many employees”. There is also the economic situation and employment, “who are showing worrying signs of weakness”. “Pension can wait”he summarizes.
“So much the better if it’s not put at the top of the pile, adds Yves Veyrier. They understood that it could not pass like a letter in the post office, it is necessary some. » The leader of Force Ouvrière (FO) thinks that the executive has changed its discourse for at least two reasons: not to panic voters as the legislative elections approach and to avoid skirmishes with employee organizations which are against “a rise in the legal retirement age”. “The government is in trouble because complete trade union unity weighs”abounds Catherine Perret, number two of the CGT. “There is no need to add tensions”continues Mr. Veyrier, mentioning the burning themes of the period: uncertainties about growth, the war in Ukraine, confinement in China…
The Medef wants a “real reform”
François Hommeril, the president of the CFE-CGC, points out that “This reform is very unpopular”, as evidenced by opinion polls. In front of “such opposition”it is logical for the executive to show ” caution “especially as its political base proves to be “less solid” that in 2017: before embarking on a process that could turn into a confrontation, “It’s better to look twice”, believes Mr. Hommeril. Cyril Chabanier, the boss of the CFTC, appreciates that time is granted to the ” social dialogue “. But he was also able to note that the postponement of the age of opening of rights to a pension remains present in the mind of Mr. Dussopt, when he received it, Tuesday, May 31. The Minister of Labor is “attached to the problem of the deficit” of the pension system, notes the leader of the Christian central: closing the hole could result in painful decisions “on which we risk clinging”.
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