#WORLD #WORLDWIDE #FRANCE #ANARCHISM #LIBRARY #News #Journal #Update - (en) #France, UCL - Movement for the defense of pensions, Towards a prolonged mass strike? (ca, de, it, fr, pt, tr)[machine translation]

 [UCL Brief No. 1]Two million people on the streets! After the unexpected success

of the interprofessional action day of January 19, 2023, an analysis of the
strengths and weaknesses of a mobilization still in the making. ---- It was not
written that the 19th would be such a tidal wave of historic events, not only in
large cities but also in many medium-sized cities. And the media, obsessed with a
blockage of the country, have put forward figures of significant strikers in the
sectors which have regularly mobilized in recent years. ---- It is however
necessary to keep reason. Even in these traditional sectors, there are still many
people to convince that it is worth losing days of wages despite the inflation
that eats away at the end of the month. Because the AGs of strikers are far from
having filled up, neither at the SNCF, nor in education. And if strikers were
numerous in private companies, largely thanks to national union unity, we are
still very far, in a context of union deserts, massive stoppages of production
and activities.

Many employees, retirees, precarious people came to the demonstrations thanks to
the media but without having met the slightest trade unionist... In this context
of a social body martyred by the incessant blows carried out by employers and
successive governments, the patient is still in full recovery. Nothing guarantees
in advance the success of January 31 and the expansion of the mobilization.

Is 31 too far?
Some sectors are unhappy, impatient to fight it out. But let's not waste the
coming days on useless invectives. Firstly because it is important to maintain
union unity. Then because our weakened trade union structures need time to
conquer feminized professional sectors, in particular female workers who are
isolated in the care professions, young people, managers... But also thousands of
companies without trade unions!

Let's not fall into the trap of a new "proxy strike", it would be sure failure.
Especially since the employees of the sectors concerned are a little tired of
having remained isolated in the strike in recent years. Let's not fall into the
illusion of minority "blockages" either. Certainly they can be useful at key
moments, but hindering the flow of production will never replace stopping production!

The question of watchwords
The inter-union holds on two refusals: the 64 years and the refusal of the
additional quarters. We can regret that the platform is not more offensive, but
that's the way it is. It is therefore useless at this stage to play the
competition between trade union confederations. The objective is simple and
readable: withdrawal of the law. Withdrawal which will only be acquired at the
cost of a massive and lasting strike. Let us not forget, all the same, to add to
it, in particular in the private sector, the question of salary increases, in
obvious connection with the receipts of social security contributions for the
pension funds.

The renewable general strike
The goal is of course in the minds of all combative activists. However, the path
to get there is difficult. It must first be understood and accepted that it will
not start from a call from the inter-union. It must be built from the ground up,
without hesitation but without haste. The timing is impossible to set
arbitrarily, even if the idea of leaving on February 1 is tempting. But the
danger of needlessly exhausting isolated sectors in the struggle threatens us.
Hence the importance of succeeding, on January 31, in increasing not only the
number of demonstrators but especially that of strikers, especially in the
private sector. Between now and January 31, we must therefore multiply local
initiatives, organize the largest inter-union general meetings in companies,
schools and services, but also in localities. The 31st is tomorrow.

And the political prospects?
We aim for the development of a mass and lasting strike through unitary union
activity combined with the self-organization of workers. During a lasting general
strike, each professional branch, each company lives and develops the conflict
according to its own rhythms. There is no red button or all-powerful staff. But
it is quite certain that during the development of such a strike, the political
questions are debated passionately by the strikers: once obtained the withdrawal
of the law, what additional demands? What if the strike still lasts? The question
arises of power, of the expropriation of the bosses, of the self-management of
companies and of society! Without maximalism or dogmatism, these are also the
questions that we must begin to ask, especially in the most committed sectors.

UCL leaflets for the battle for pensions
On renewable strike from January 31!
Battle for our pensions: how to win?
Let's not waste our lives earning it!
Inflation, pensions: the big heist!

https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Vers-une-greve-de-masse-prolongee
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