(en) France, Alternative Libertair #223 - Struggle against austerity: A French mobilization infancy (fr)

The European Day of Action on 14 November resulted in France mobilization subdued. We must 
consider how to build across Europe as a response to austerity. ---- On November 14, 
millions of demonstrators and protesters marched across Europe against austerity, but only 
one hundred thousand in France. Seek error. The first initiative of the European Day of 
Action rests with unions in countries most exposed to austerity: Greece, Spain and Italy. 
The date was picked up by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), central hegemonic 
orientation clearly reformist. The majority of French unions is affiliated, even if this 
is not the case of Solidarity. However, the Inter-national has been slow to appeal to this 
day. Announced at least three weeks before the deadline, it was prepared in a hurry, even 
sloppy.

Mobilization halftone

Some unions simply wanted to call to demonstrate in support of workers in Portugal, 
Greece, Italy and Spain. The challenge, however, was quite different. The employee-these 
countries are mobilized en masse, through general strikes one day. The best support we 
could give them was the extension of mobilization in France. Besides the opportunity lent 
itself because it was the first event since the inter-election Francois Hollande. It had 
announced the outlines of a first austerity plan, following the report of the Welsh 
competitiveness. There would have been clear terms to call a strike, leaning rejection of 
these measures to professional demands.

Obviously, not everything is so simple. Many militant union teams struggling to convince 
their colleagues to leave the wait. Struggles start when they are isolated, and workers 
often resign themselves to seek improvements to attacks. This is the case for PSA Aulnay 
now, where the majority of employees-are ruled out plans to fight reclassification rather 
than against the closure.

So far the role of a trade union should be offensive to push the fight. This involves 
leaving the dialogue, even if it does rely initially on the trade union teams and the most 
combative sectors. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) had made a step in this 
direction during the day defense industry October 9, except that this mobilization would 
be won by Inter, even small organizations to fight.

out of social cohesion

Finally, this type of European mobilization should lead us to question the nature of the 
ETUC. In his call text November 14, it asked eg " reduce imbalances [budget] "to" lead 
[...] social cohesion . " The Inter French, without taking these slogans, repeated the 
requirement of " negotiation of a European social contract . " You do not build much 
with such claims. This day should call others, with the aim of European general strike. 
But it will require reconsideration of our affiliate unions to the central reformist.

Gregory (AL Orleans)