May 1st in Toulouse. For the CGT: “the battle for pensions is declared”
This Sunday in Toulouse, at 10 a.m. from Esquirol, the May Day parade will be more demanding than ever, on the retirement age in particular. The CGT wants the union of left-wing parties in the legislative elections.
The ranks of the traditional parade of May 1, this Sunday, in Toulouse, at 10 am, from Esquirol to the boulevards, will be more provided than usual, electoral news obliges. The three organizing unions of the demonstration, the CGT, the FSU and Solidaires, are joined by the departmental union CFDT, an exceptional and perhaps unique fact in France. At the end of the procession, all the left parties should be present.
Twenty years ago, on May 1, 2002, more than 100,000 people fought in Toulouse against the far right which, this year again, was in the second round and achieved an unprecedented score of 42%. How do you explain this rise?
There are not 42% fascists in the country. A good part of these voters observes that his situation is deteriorating, of his fragility, of his fear of downgrading. They want to end a system that dominates and exploits them. They think that by voting Marine Le Pen, this will be possible. However – this is the imposture of the National Rally – this party does not question the exploitation created by capitalism. On the contrary, the situation of its voters would continue to deteriorate. These voters are wrong. These are votes with reversed class interests, that is to say that they think that their interests are found in the RN. It is the nature of these parties to make workers believe that they represent their interests.
On purchasing power, what should the government do?
We expect absolutely nothing from a government stemming from Macron or his movement. There is a very strong need for salary increases. And it is the mobilizations, through strikes and demonstrations, that allow it. I call on my wishes for elected progressives (from leftist formations, editor’s note) to the National Assembly. But they could not move things forward without mobilizing the world of work.
Do you take sides in favor of the candidates you call progressive, that is to say from a left-wing rally?
Yes. These are candidates who defend the interests of the world of work. The increase in wages, neither Marine Le Pen nor Emmanuel Macron talk about it. They talk about increased purchasing power at best. Wage increases, better public service, improved social security, nationalization of the commons… These are the elements that make a progressive program possible.
On retirement, did the French choose by electing Macron?
Absolutely not. Those who voted for Macron are wealthy people, already retired, and who think that young people should leave later. The expectation of employees is very strong on pensions: not touched at the retirement age, increase in pensions, fight for the lowering of the retirement age. There will be a fight over pensions. It’s obvious. The battle is declared.
Insubordinate France calls for demonstrations against Macron. Is this parade a support for Mélenchon in view of the legislative elections?
No. May Day is a day of solidarity with workers in struggle and for peace. Then, it is a May 1st for the increase in wages and pensions because we are in an election period. The political procession, which traditionally closes the parade, should be particularly provided. All the formations, from Lutte Ouvrière to the PS, were received at the Labor Exchange on Tuesday to prepare for this May 1st. The CGT hopes that this political procession will demonstrate the unity necessary to defend the interests of employees.
No buses, trams and metros on Sunday
This Sunday, May 1, as every year on Labor Day, the Tisséo bus, tram and metro network, as well as shuttles and on-demand transport, are not working. Car parks at the terminus of metro stations remain open under fare conditions without a ticket with payment on exit. The network will operate again from Monday 2 May in the morning.