The CGT version Sophie Binet responds present. The new leader, who was appointed this Friday morning to succeed Philippe Martinez, confirmed the presence of the CGT next Wednesday during the meeting in Matignon at the invitation of Elisabeth Borne. “We will go, all the inter-union, united, to demand the withdrawal of this reform in a firm, determined way”, declared Sophie Binet, who spoke at the end of the morning at the podium of the CGT congress.

The participation or not of the CGT in the meeting with the Prime Minister was a subject of internal discussions. But it is ultimately the line of maintaining the unity of the inter-union that won, the CFDT wishing to participate in the meeting.

“There will be no mediation”

“We will not let go, there will be no truce, there will be no suspension, there will be no mediation” concerning the bill, she however added, thus dismissing the proposals made last week on behalf of the intersyndicale by the leader of the CFDT, Laurent Berger. “We will not resume work until this reform is withdrawn,” she said.

This Friday morning, the Minister of Labour, Olivier Dussopt, confirmed that the government would not object to the question of pensions being addressed during the meeting. He indicated however that the government had “the intention of implementing the text voted”, without wishing to prejudge the decision of the Constitutional Council expected on April 14 on the constitutionality of the bill adopted in Parliament following an appeal to 49.3.

“It is the withdrawal of this reform that will allow us to finally move on to the real priorities” such as “increase wages”, added Sophie Binet. “For the first time, employees in this country have wages that are falling in constant euros,” she said. Other priorities are “improving working conditions” or the “environmental issue”, while “capitalism continues to destroy our planet”, she added.

New management team

The confederal office of the CGT was also presented this Friday with therefore at its head the new general secretary of the CGT Sophie Binet and as administrator the leader of the CGT railway workers Laurent Brun. Céline Verzeletti, candidate approached but finally dismissed, is also a member of the office.

Also elected were Catherine Giraud, General Secretary of the Vienne Departmental Union, Nathalie Bazire, General Secretary of the Manche Departmental Union, Mireille Stivala, General Secretary of the Health and Social Action Federation, Sébastien Ménesplier, Secretary general of the CGT mines-energy. Boris Plazzi, confederal secretary in charge of salaries, Gérald Ré, general secretary of the Union of Alpes-Maritimes and Thomas Vacheron, member of the confederal management, are also part of the office.

More information to follow…