Baptiste Morin, with AFP, edited by Laura Laplaud
modified to
11:01 a.m., March 07, 2023
While opponents of pension reform are demonstrating for the sixth time since the start of the movement, strike funds are returning to center stage and could play a key role in mobilization. But where do they come from and what exactly are they used for?
This Tuesday, March 7, opponents of the pension reform will parade in the street for the sixth time since the start of the movement. Between 1.1 and 1.4 million demonstrators are expected throughout France. For many sectors, the strike could be renewable which would imply giving up his remuneration over several days. Strike funds, jackpots, sale of “goodies” … to hold out over time against the pension reform and relieve the portfolio of the strikers, the unions have resources, a phenomenon “almost as old as the strike itself” but growing in power. But what is it exactly?
Finance food, banners but also compensate salaries…
A strike fund is a kitty launched on the occasion of a social movement, at the initiative, very often, of a union. Everyone can take part and it is notably a way for employees who are not on strike to support the mobilization. Funds from a strike fund are used to finance the movement, food, banners, chasubles. But the fund is also used to compensate all or part of the salary not received by the demonstrators.
The very first strike fund was created in the 19th century. At the time, the Lyon silk weavers had stopped working because they demanded a minimum wage and so they had established a common pot. Some centers such as the CFDT or FO have permanent funds fed by a share of the membership fee. Today, the richest of the strike funds was created jointly by two unions, the CGT and SUD, and it totals to date more than 500,000 euros.