The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) is once again plunged into uncertainty for reasons of governance. Its secretary general, Philippe Martinez, indicated, Monday, May 30, to the members of the confederal office, that he will not seek a new mandate at the next union congress, scheduled for the end of March 2023, in Clermont-Ferrand. His choice was revealed on Tuesday morning by The echoes, a few minutes before a meeting of the Confederal Executive Commission (CEC), during which he explained himself at length, without convincing all of the assistance. Such a decision is not, in itself, entirely surprising, but many activists are surprised to learn of it this way and at this time. It occurs in a context where the organization is shaken by lively debates on the line to take and on the democracy within it.
In the text presented “in introduction to the CEC”, Tuesday 31, including The world became aware, Mr. Martinez assures that he “don’t leave [sa] responsibility neither coerced nor coerced” and that he “don’t give in to any pressure”. The fact of handing over obeys the conviction that it is necessary, for a leader as for a union, “to renew”. The CGT must be “always more open to a changing world”he writes, referring in particular to the “environmental concerns”. He recalls that the confederation was involved in this theme by contributing to the creation, two years ago, of the group Never Again, with other employee organizations (FSU, Solidaires) and environmental associations (Greenpeace, Les Friends of the Earth…).
Bold move
Convinced that“we must strengthen the place of women in positions of responsibility”, Mr. Martinez proposes to be replaced by Marie Buisson, secretary general of the education, research and culture federation of the CGT. This teacher is not well known internally. It was voted on by the CEC on Tuesday: thirty-two people voted in favor, three against, while three abstained, and three did not take part in the consultation. Membership is clear, but not unanimous. Above all, this is only a first step: for Mme Buisson becomes secretary general – which would be a first in the history of the organization – she will have to obtain the imprimatur of the National Confederal Committee (CCN), the “parliament” of the CGT, during the congress of Clermont-Ferrand.
Mr. Martinez’s approach is bold, not to say reckless, because the personality he recommends to succeed him has played a leading role in the Never Again coalition. However, many members and executives of the CGT, working in particular in industry, are wondering about the rapprochement of their confederation with Greenpeace, which is calling for an exit from nuclear power and a decarbonization of the economy, likely to jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs. The constitution of this alliance had already given rise to tough discussions during a meeting of the CCN in June 2020. Disagreements, which are still topical, for reasons of substance and method.
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