Like a sense of déjà vu

As expected, the post-holiday period will be a lively one thanks to the fifth "reform" of the pensions system in twenty years! But this time, the left is in power! But far from reassuring us, this fact is cause for concern as we know how clever the Socialist Party (PS) is at quietly getting through parliament things that would make the right blush. Consider for a moment the massive privatizations of the Jospin government (the equivalent of €31 billion in four years against "only" €26 billion of the Balladur and Juppé governments in the previous four years!). [Français]

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Like a sense of déjà vu

As expected, the post-holiday period will be a lively one thanks to the fifth "reform" of the pensions system in twenty years! But this time, the left is in power! But far from reassuring us, this fact is cause for concern as we know how clever the Socialist Party (PS) is at quietly getting through parliament things that would make the right blush. Consider for a moment the massive privatizations of the Jospin government (the equivalent of €31 billion in four years against "only" €26 billion of the Balladur and Juppé governments in the previous four years!).

Sure, the increase of the obligatory pension contribution period to 43 years has been put off to 2020. But remember, only 3 years ago, when the PS was against increasing it to 42 years? How far they will be prepared to go come 2020 hardly bears thinking about! Of course, contributions will be increased... as much for employees (whose real wages have been declining for years) as for the bosses (whose profits continue to surge)... that's some equality!

If in addition we add a little boost to employers with yet another "reduction of labour costs" and a "personal account for the prevention of hardship" (a name that smacks of a spin-doctors' brainstorming session), it should go straight through, like a letter in the post (privatized), shouldn't it?

A one-day strike has been scheduled for 10 September... since 5 July. Yet we cannot say that the summer has been hectic with preparations for the event! It must be said that for some unions, it is by no means a must. Yet in 2010, the mobilization of 7 September was prepared even before the summer by highly motivated union teams. But times change... Some prefer to spend the summer chewing the fat at the Matignon - it's certainly more fun than putting up posters!

Nevertheless, revenge is there for the taking. We must not believe that the workers will keep their mouths shut while another year or two of their lives is being stolen from under their noses!

Alternative Libertaire

28 August 2013

Editorial from "Alternative Libertaire", No. 231, September 2013
Translation by FdCA - International Relations Office.