As many people in the streets as inhabitants? According to the inter-union, they were more than 50,000 to survey the grand boulevards of Albi, Thursday, February 16 in the afternoon – 10,000 according to the prefecture. Behind union leaders such as Philippe Martinez for the CGT, Frédéric Souillot for FO, Laurent Berger for the CFDT, Simon Duteil and Murielle Guilbert for Solidaires, François Hommeril for the CFE-CGC, the activists of the Tarn prefecture have taken up their challenge . In the rest of the country, the CGT claimed 1.3 million demonstrators, the lowest figure since the start of the mobilization on January 19.
The unions had already counted 20,000 people (6,000 according to the police), on February 11, and, following a postponed visit by Philippe Martinez to the Tarn, Albi was chosen. For several reasons. Because, since the beginning of the demonstrations, the medium-sized towns are full, and especially because, in the Tarn, the shadow of Jean Jaurès still hovers.
On the morning of the parade, Philippe Martinez also went to the working glassworks of Albi, created in 1895 by the socialist following the strikes of the miners of Carmaux. Shortly before the start of the parade, Laurent Berger mentioned a union presence « ever closer to the world of work and concrete concerns”. “What better place than the stronghold of Jaurès? he added. “Our first wish was to set up a secure route, with large avenues. Above all, we did not want to block the entrance to the emergency room of Albi hospital”underlined for his part the departmental delegate of the CGT, Patrick Guiraud, former employee of the working glassworks of Albi.
Within the impressive procession, which strolled calmly and under the sun, Marie, Isabelle and Christine (the speakers did not give their names), home helpers in the department, came « to be 100% opposed to this reform”. “We already do a very hard job, without any recognition. With us, the maximum to work is 57 or 58 years old. Afterwards, we are too broken »they assure in chorus.
“Macron must step back, otherwise the vase will overflow”
They also highlight the specificity of work in rural areas, « with a lot of poorly reimbursed travel ». Most of them hold a BEP or a baccalaureate, in a profession that is 95% female, they also insist on their social role. « We are women of all trades. We want to enjoy our retirement »launches Véronique, 42, a carer for nineteen years.
You have 36.53% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.