In 2023, workers had protested in solidarity against pension reform. This year, on May 1st, the main workers’ organizations are mobilizing separately with different slogans. The CGT is protesting against corporate greed and government violence, while the CFDT is advocating for a more ambitious Europe ahead of the parliamentary elections in Strasbourg. The lack of a unified message on International Workers’ Day indicates a shift from the united front seen during the battle against raising the retirement age to 64. However, former allies are still in communication and forming temporary coalitions as needed.
On Wednesday, the CGT, FSU, Solidaires, and five youth defense movements are calling for joint demonstrations in over 260 locations. Various rallies and marches are planned, including one from Place de la République to Place de la Nation in Paris. The UNSA will be present in the capital’s procession, as well as the CFDT, organized by its regional chapter. FO will march between Place d’Italie and Place de la Commune-de-Paris. The CFE-CGC will not participate in street protests, and the CFTC will allow its local branches to decide on any actions to take. This diversity in mobilization contrasts with the unity shown a year ago during the pension reform protests.
Sociologist Guy Groux, a member of Sciences Po’s Center for Political Research, explains the current landscape of workers’ organizations. After the pension reform was passed, the groups have reverted to their pre-united stance, with a reformist bloc around the CFDT, CFTC, and UNSA, a protest camp led by the CGT, FSU, and Solidaires, and two confederations straddling these positions – CFE-CGC and FO. This fragmentation reflects the return to previous divisions following the temporary alliance formed in 2022. Despite the lack of a cohesive front, communication and collaboration between the different groups continue.
The unions’ diverging strategies on May 1st can be seen as a reflection of their differing priorities and goals. While some focus on immediate labor issues such as unemployment benefits, others are looking towards broader political contexts, like the upcoming European elections. The dispersion of forces among the various workers’ organizations highlights the complexity of the current social and political landscape in France, where multiple interests and agendas are at play. This diversity also underscores the challenges faced by labor movements in maintaining unity and coherence in the face of shifting political and social dynamics.
The absence of a unified front on May 1st does not necessarily signal a weakening of the labor movement in France. Rather, it may indicate a nuanced approach to activism, with different groups focusing on specific issues or strategies that align with their priorities. This adaptive flexibility could allow for more targeted and effective action on individual concerns while still maintaining overall solidarity within the broader workers’ movement. The evolving dynamics within the labor movement in France suggest a complex and dynamic landscape where alliances and coalitions may shift based on the specific context and objectives at stake.
