A-Infos (en) France, UCL - Movement for the defense of pensions, Towards a prolonged mass strike? (ca, de, it, fr, pt, tr)[machine translation]

[UCL Brief No. 1]Two million people on the streets! After the unexpected success 
of the interprofessional action day of January 19, 2023, an analysis of the 
strengths and weaknesses of a mobilization still in the making. ---- It was not 
written that the 19th would be such a tidal wave of historic events, not only in 
large cities but also in many medium-sized cities. And the media, obsessed with a 
blockage of the country, have put forward figures of significant strikers in the 
sectors which have regularly mobilized in recent years. ---- It is however 
necessary to keep reason. Even in these traditional sectors, there are still many 
people to convince that it is worth losing days of wages despite the inflation 
that eats away at the end of the month. Because the AGs of strikers are far from 
having filled up, neither at the SNCF, nor in education. And if strikers were 
numerous in private companies, largely thanks to national union unity, we are 
still very far, in a context of union deserts, massive stoppages of production 
and activities.

Many employees, retirees, precarious people came to the demonstrations thanks to 
the media but without having met the slightest trade unionist... In this context 
of a social body martyred by the incessant blows carried out by employers and 
successive governments, the patient is still in full recovery. Nothing guarantees 
in advance the success of January 31 and the expansion of the mobilization.

Is 31 too far?
Some sectors are unhappy, impatient to fight it out. But let's not waste the 
coming days on useless invectives. Firstly because it is important to maintain 
union unity. Then because our weakened trade union structures need time to 
conquer feminized professional sectors, in particular female workers who are 
isolated in the care professions, young people, managers... But also thousands of 
companies without trade unions!

Let's not fall into the trap of a new "proxy strike", it would be sure failure. 
Especially since the employees of the sectors concerned are a little tired of 
having remained isolated in the strike in recent years. Let's not fall into the 
illusion of minority "blockages" either. Certainly they can be useful at key 
moments, but hindering the flow of production will never replace stopping production!

The question of watchwords
The inter-union holds on two refusals: the 64 years and the refusal of the 
additional quarters. We can regret that the platform is not more offensive, but 
that's the way it is. It is therefore useless at this stage to play the 
competition between trade union confederations. The objective is simple and 
readable: withdrawal of the law. Withdrawal which will only be acquired at the 
cost of a massive and lasting strike. Let us not forget, all the same, to add to 
it, in particular in the private sector, the question of salary increases, in 
obvious connection with the receipts of social security contributions for the 
pension funds.

The renewable general strike
The goal is of course in the minds of all combative activists. However, the path 
to get there is difficult. It must first be understood and accepted that it will 
not start from a call from the inter-union. It must be built from the ground up, 
without hesitation but without haste. The timing is impossible to set 
arbitrarily, even if the idea of leaving on February 1 is tempting. But the 
danger of needlessly exhausting isolated sectors in the struggle threatens us. 
Hence the importance of succeeding, on January 31, in increasing not only the 
number of demonstrators but especially that of strikers, especially in the 
private sector. Between now and January 31, we must therefore multiply local 
initiatives, organize the largest inter-union general meetings in companies, 
schools and services, but also in localities. The 31st is tomorrow.

And the political prospects?
We aim for the development of a mass and lasting strike through unitary union 
activity combined with the self-organization of workers. During a lasting general 
strike, each professional branch, each company lives and develops the conflict 
according to its own rhythms. There is no red button or all-powerful staff. But 
it is quite certain that during the development of such a strike, the political 
questions are debated passionately by the strikers: once obtained the withdrawal 
of the law, what additional demands? What if the strike still lasts? The question 
arises of power, of the expropriation of the bosses, of the self-management of 
companies and of society! Without maximalism or dogmatism, these are also the 
questions that we must begin to ask, especially in the most committed sectors.

UCL leaflets for the battle for pensions
On renewable strike from January 31!
Battle for our pensions: how to win?
Let's not waste our lives earning it!
Inflation, pensions: the big heist!

https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Vers-une-greve-de-masse-prolongee
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