2023-06-22 13:06:55
Laurent Berger, the secretary general of the CFDT, in the offices of the CFDT, in Paris, April 17, 2023. ED ALCOCK / MYOP FOR “THE WORLD”
Applaud like show business stars. The transfer of power between Laurent Berger and Marylise Léon, Wednesday June 21 at the Zénith de Paris, was a long time of communion punctuated by the cheers of some 2,700 militants inflated to the block. Until then number two of the CFDT, the forties has, as expected, been elected secretary general, in the presence of the one who is now his predecessor. A ceremony synonymous with moments of self-celebration during which the first union in France wanted to show its strength and cohesion.
On stage, there were two radiant headliners, who hugged and congratulated each other – with perhaps agreed but sincere words. “It is an honor to take up the torch behind you”launched Ms. Léon to Mr. Berger, praising this “holy man”. The former number one of the cededist central, for his part, repeated all the good things he thinks of his successor – a woman ” outstanding “.
Beyond the exchange of compliments – an essential exercise for this type of event – their speeches made it possible to take stock of the outgoing management team and to outline prospects. During a first speech, delivered on Wednesday morning, Mr. Berger returned to the social movement against the pension reform, which failed to obtain the abandonment of the decline in the legal retirement age to 64 years.
Read also: “The game for pensions is ending, whether we like it or not”, concedes Laurent Berger
In this mobilization, he declared, “CFDT held its place”, by joining a large inter-union. By the way, he attacked those who want “to discredit” his organization by accusing him of showing“irresponsibility” – a transparent allusion to Emmanuel Macron, the latter having criticized the central cedist for reducing the deficit of the pension schemes. “False trial! »replied Mr. Berger: « [Nous n’avons] never denied the need for financing our pension system. » But the solution chosen by the executive to remedy the problem was “unfair”he continued, and the counter-proposals of the CFDT were not taken into consideration.
Relations with the executive
The former general secretary recalled that during the period when he was the boss, his confederation became ” the first one “ in terms of votes cast in professional elections: if the CFDT is not ” no perfect “it is nevertheless ” in shape “he rejoiced: “We are assuming leadership in the trade union world. »
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Ms. Léon, she delivered first indications on the claims that she will defend in the short term and on her way of proceeding with the executive as with the other social actors. A clarification that is provided as negotiations are soon to open on various topics, either at the initiative of employers’ and employees’ organizations, or within the framework set, in mid-April, by Mr. Macron to conclude A “work life pact” (employment of seniors, professional retraining, profit sharing, etc.).
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