2023-04-27 13:14:23
An “unprecedented and exceptional mobilization”. This is what the new secretary of the CGT, Sophie Binet, promised this Thursday when she was questioned about the rallies organized against the pension reform. Historic day of social mobilization, Labor Day, May 1, will be animated this Monday with 300 processions expected by the CGT. Strikes, demonstrations, disruptions in transport… We take stock of what you need to know.
100,000 people in the streets of Paris
According to a note from the territorial intelligence services, unveiled by Europe 1 on Thursday, 80,000 to 100,000 people are expected in the Paris procession which will set off at 2 p.m. from Place de la République. A document which fears the presence of “1,000 to 2,000 elements at risk” and according to which this holiday Monday should not “mark the breathlessness of the mobilization”.
“It is already appropriate to qualify this May 1st as historic with regard to the mobilization”, writes the intelligence, which evokes a “vengeful” spirit among certain demonstrators.
Gatherings in all cities
The CGT hopes for a massive mobilization this Monday for Labor Day: “We call on everyone to come and demonstrate on May 1,” said Philippe Martinez’s successor. Asked about the potential risk of violence in the demonstrations which will be organized throughout the country, Sophie Binet judged that these were “classic strategies of demobilization to scare”. “In the union processions, there is nothing to fear,” she promised on RTL.
“This is the first time that all the unions are going to demonstrate. It will be family, popular, festive. Security in the trade union processions is always ensured,” said Sophie Binet, before recalling the planned presence of around a hundred international trade union activists, who had come to support their French counterparts. “It takes huge numbers of people to get our messages heard. I really call to come in number, ”she insisted again.
For her part, the Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, assured “to trust the unions” so that the demonstrations go well. However, she said that “we do not have the right to cut off the electricity”, as has been done in recent days on the sidelines of official trips.
A third of flights canceled
Air traffic promises to be very disrupted on Monday May 1 due to the participation of controllers in the strike movement against the pension reform. Between 25 and 33% of flights will be canceled at the largest French airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) on Wednesday asked airlines to give up a third of their flight schedule at Paris-Orly and a quarter at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, to bring traffic and the number of air traffic controllers available.
These work stoppages will also concern many airports in the region: 33% of flights will have to be canceled preventively in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes and Toulouse, while 25% of movements will be canceled in Nice and Beauvais, specified the DGAC in a communicated. This mobilization of air traffic controllers therefore promises to be one of the strongest since the beginning of the challenge to the reform.
“Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and delays are nevertheless to be expected,” noted the DGAC on Wednesday, inviting “passengers who can to postpone their trip and to inquire with their airline to find out the state of their flight. In addition to airports, disruptions may concern certain en route air navigation centers (CRNA), which guide aircraft flying over national territory.
Disruptions to be expected for trains
On the rails, the inter-union of the SNCF (CGT Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, CFDT Cheminots) called on all railway employees to “make May 1 a day of strikes and successful demonstrations everywhere in the country “. Traffic forecasts will only be released this weekend. Few trains had been canceled during the twelfth day of mobilization.
Finally, the unions of the National Federation Mines Energy (FNME) CGT, have promised actions (electricity cuts for example) throughout the month of May and possibly as early as this Monday. “Our debates bring out offensive, firm and unanimous positions”, which will be expressed in particular during the days of interprofessional mobilization (April 28, May 1).
#Retreats #demonstrations #strikes #transport #expect #Day