14.12.1995

Workers decide in France

René Barthes, executive member of the Marseilles region of the Fédération Syndicaliste Unitaire union organisation and long-standing member of the Parti Communiste Français, spoke (in a personal capacity) to John Bayliss last Tuesday

Can you tell us what has been happening on the streets today?

I have literally just returned from the demonstration, which was massive. Local radio reports 120,000 were mobilised. These strikes are now taking place every two days. Workers are also taking such action as removing the tolls from the motorways and reducing electricity prices.

What about the overall situation in France?

It is very difficult to say, but I think there were about 1.5 million on the streets today (December 12). About two thirds of all strikes are ‘reconstructable’ (officially devolved to the local level). Irrespective of what union the workers are in (CGT, FO or CFDT), they themselves meet to decide policy, when to resume strikes or other local actions. This is a means whereby the workers can keep control, irrespective of any deals which are attempted by the hierarchy. Many of the other groups are continuing to mount unofficial actions.

What do you mean by “deals with the hierarchy”?

Juppé has given some real concessions to railway workers and some other groups and his aim is to break the strikes. For example, the CGT has taken the lead in demanding the withdrawal of the whole plan. Although the FO, led by Blondel, says it goes along with this position, given that this is the first time since 1947 that his union has cooperated with the CGT, we are very suspicious. As to the CFDT, their leaders are in favour of calling off the strike. They expelled the left from the union at their last conference, but despite their leadership, their membership are in step with the mass of workers.

So what are your demands?

To smash the plan. Juppé must withdraw it.

How do you assess the overall position?

The strike is still growing and more sections of private industry are joining in. This is a strike against Maastricht. Everyone agrees on that now.

Do you mean that in a narrow nationalist sense?

Far from it. These are the plans of capital - Paris, Bonn or Washington. They want to intensify and ‘rationalise’ our exploitation. We stand for the plans of the working class. We are determined not to pay for their problems.

Where do the political parties stand?

Juppé’s position is so weak, in spite of his 80% majority in parliament. He is threatening to use section 49.3 of the constitution, which allows him to make special laws without consulting parliament.

You mean a state of emergency?

Not quite. He is trying to break the strike with concessions on the one hand, and coercion on the other.

The Socialists want the plan remodelled, but they still stand for capitalism and the law of value. Our fear is that this could be a way out for French capital. As far as we are concerned, we must stop the whole process. As to the Front National, they have been very discreet, calling on their members not to take part in anti-strike demonstrations, but they hope there will be new elections where they will make gains.

Surely that could not happen?

Yes, but the left is on the up. This is the most anti-capitalist feeling I have ever experienced. It is not just a demonstration about wages, but about the whole structure of society. On the other hand, what we lack is the Communist Party providing an overall plan. It is too cautious. Although it claims to have respect for the people and rejects vanguardism, this should not stop it taking the initiative.

A debate would undoubtedly follow within the Party at a more general level which would raise the questions of anti-capitalism. After the failure of the Soviet model, there was a feeling nothing could be done, but this is the real mass of the people, moving and debating from the ground up. It is bound to move the Party. We must go to the masses and get their feelings, their movement. We don’t care what they do in parliament.