Pensions: the CGT calls for a “dead ports” day on Thursday and brandishes the threat of a fuel shortage
The CGT called this Monday for three days of work stoppage in the ports of France, with a day “dead ports” in conclusion Thursday, to fight against the government’s pension reform plan. “Thursday, throughout the day, nothing comes in and nothing comes out” of the ports, launched at a press conference in Martigues, near Marseille, Serge Coutouris, deputy secretary general of the National CGT Federation of Ports and Docks . “We are not here to block the economy, we are here to obtain the withdrawal of the project”, he explained, recalling that the CGT was in the majority in all the ports of France except that of Dunkirk.
Olivier Mateu, general secretary of the union in the department, also welcomed the “renewable strike of the employees” of Fluxel, operators of the Fos and Lavéra oil terminals, which provide the connection between the oil tankers and their customers at the port. “If we had any advice for the government, it would be to withdraw the reform as quickly as possible, and if we had any advice to give to comrades who get up in the morning to go to work, it would be to fill up, because it won’t last forever “, he launched.
An amplification in case of 49.3
Olivier Mateu promised “amplification” and “diversification” of the movement to fight against pension reform, in particular if the government used Article 49.3 of the Constitution to have it adopted. “It is up to the government to keep things within a republican and democratic framework, if there is 49.3, inevitably that will change the conditions of the conflict”, declared Olivier Mateu. “If the government uses 49.3, there will be no rule for anyone,” he warned.
After the green light Saturday from the Senate in favor of the project, the government hunted for votes in the Assembly to succeed in having its project adopted without resorting to Article 49.3 of the Constitution. The negotiations will notably continue on Wednesday, a new day of mobilization in the streets, in a joint joint committee (7 deputies and 7 senators), in the hope that the National Assembly and the Senate will reach an agreement, which will then have to be validated Thursday.
