Pension reform. In Rouen, Renault founders are mobilizing
They are not determined to make their anger heard. In front of the imposing Renault site in Cléon (Seine-Maritime), CGT activists follow one another at the microphone to call on employees to mobilize on Thursday against the pension reform. Postponement of the legal age of departure, criteria of arduousness, duration of contribution… At four, in front of the southern entrance of the box, they list the many setbacks of the government project . “What does the reform provide for those who started working at 16? » Eric gets annoyed, wearing a red and yellow chasuble on his back.
The reform “will above all harm low wages”
At 53, retirement was near for him. It is out of the question that his departure is incomplete. “If I stop working at 62, I will have worked 46 years in total, it is more than what the law provides (for a full-rate pension – Editor’s note) », he exclaims. The ace, He blows : “Yes, I didn’t like school, so I went for apprenticeship, but after 40 years of work, I stayed at the bottom of the ladder.” Career developments, he did not see them, “unlike young people who enter with a bac + 4 or a bac + 5”, he regrets. Reform ? “It will above all harm low wages, because those who earn 5,000 euros a month can afford to leave earlier, even with 1,000 euros less”he adds.
On the other side of the factory, to the north, the same atmosphere. William Audoux, union delegate, greets each newcomer. In front of the foundry – which makes up the factory with the engine assembly workshop – it’s time for the change of shifts. At 1 p.m., while some are finishing their day, others rush into the building. Some take the time to stop and chat with their colleagues. “Do you have any space left on the bus?” » asks Didier Carbon, a 56-year-old metallurgist. Thursday, January 19, the CGT plans a collective departure by car to demonstrate in Rouen.
“The last showdown with the government”
The worker, who has worked at Renault since 1993, wants to be part of it, because the pension reform is “the last showdown with the government”. Today, he will try to convince one of his colleagues to join him. In his team of 17 employees, he is currently the only one to strike. “It’s now or never”, he repeats before entering the factory. With the company agreements for early retirement, Didier Carbon could have left a little before the age of 60 but, with the reform, he risks being canceled. “I take myself three additional terms, I had already had three more with Hollande”he breathed.
The arrogance of the government annoys the worker. “When the Prime Minister asks us not to penalize the French, who is really penalizing whom?” he retorts. Whether he comes by bus or carpool, he will be on the streets like many of the foundry’s 220 employees who “risk of being very quiet on Thursday”hopes William Audoux.
“Often, we have pain in the hips or tendonitis.” Arnaud Damien, foundry operator
At 46, Arnaud Damien, a foundry operator since 2000, is also considering going on strike. His job, he’s used to it now, so as far as the arduousness is concerned, he finds that “there is worse”. Especially when he compares himself to his colleagues posted on the assembly lines who employ between 600 and 700 temporary workers for repetitive tasks. However, a file in one hand, coins in the other, the professional repeats identical gestures all day long. “Often, we have pain in the hips or tendonitis”recognize the man.
“No one can accept two more years under these conditions”
“Here is a bit of a stronghold of the strike”rejoices William Audoux, union representative, in front of the walls of the foundry. “Even the management staff are mobilizing, no one can accept two more years under these conditions”, he points. Neither do young people. Mathieu, 28, arrives in the distance. Cigarette in hand, the utility technician stops to chat with his colleagues. Thursday he will be on strike “at least two hours”. Between loss of meaning in his profession, lack of means and recognition, the young employee, who started as a temporary worker and has worked for the company for seven years, has come back. “The increases are on the customer’s head and, this year, because of inflation, I come to work for less than last year”he gets annoyed.
“Even the management staff are mobilizing”, William Audoux, union representative
The almost non-existent career development for non-graduates confirms the anger of the youngest. So they retaliate. “When there is a call for a strike, we find them all mobilized, the management helps us a little on that side”quips William Audoux before taking the microphone again and striking out: “We don’t want to die at work while the super-rich make profits on our backs.”