Unions want face-to-face with Macron to discuss pension reform

After the Senate voted in favor of Article 7 of the pension reform, which it postpones 64 years of retirement ageThe leaders of eight unions and five youth organizations wrote a letter to Emmanuel Macron asking him to accept them and withdraw their bill, they announced on Tuesday after a day of mobilization across France.

The signatories condemn the “lack of reaction” of both the president and the government to the “mass mobilisations” which have the “constant support of the French population”. For them it is a “serious democratic problem” and warn about a “explosive situation” if you do not withdraw the plan. Macron continues to opt for silence while his prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, assures that “the government is always willing and open to dialogue,” but asks unionists to contact Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt.

Unions continue to follow the pulse of the executive branch extension of the strike in various sectors, especially transport. About a hundred militants blocked traffic for two hours at the Boulou tollbooth, on the French-Spanish border near Jonquerawhich caused kilometers long queues.

The energy sector CGT announced a power outage in the construction zone of the Olympic Village for the Paris 2024 Games, as well as at the Stade de France. Distributor Enedis assured that the unionists had not achieved their purpose at the football stadium in Saint Dennis, although the cuts affected commercial and residential areas near the city.

This Friday, city transport is expected to gradually return to normal and air traffic to improve, although the General Directorate of Civil Aviation has asked companies operating in Orly, Marseille, Nantes Toulouse or Bordeaux to cancel between 20 and 30 percent of flights during the weekend.

Rail traffic will continue to be disrupted, with an average circulation of one in every two trains, and in particular one in every four trains for France-Spain connections.

Meanwhile, in the Luxembourg palace, senators continue the debate on the pension reform, after Wednesday evening, thanks to the conservative majoritywill approve with 201 votes in favor, 115 against and 29 abstentions Article 7 which postpones the minimum retirement age from now until 2030 to 64 years, compared to the current 62 years.

Minister Dussopt, who comes from the socialist ranks, thanked the senators of the right and the center for passing this key article that will allow “guaranteeing the financial balance of the system”, and above all that allows him to breathe a little.

Text continue its parliamentary process. Senators have until Sunday at midnight to debate the pending items and vote on the bill as a whole.