05.12.1996

Making the bosses pay in France

French lorry drivers’ victory raises the need for European-wide unions

Lorry drivers in France dismantled their picket lines last week after winning a substantial victory. The government of Alain Juppe had previously declined to intervene, but as pressure mounted throughout France and Europe, it stepped in to appoint a ‘mediator’ between the six union groups and the employers.

The agreement provides for substantial improvements in working conditions, the main victory being over pensions. The truckers will now number among the elite group who will retire at 55 on a full pension. They will also receive improved sick pay and allowances.

But the unions retreated on pay, settling for a lump sum of 3,000 francs (£360) plus a two percent rise. They had previously demanded an increase of between 10% and 23%. Despite union claims of a “complete victory”, there were reports of drivers being sacked on reporting back to work on Monday.

Nevertheless the settlement will undoubtedly cost the French state dearly, not only in the increased subsidy it must now pay to the employers and in the claims for compensation from other EU members, but also in the confidence that the victory has given to other workers to press their own demands. The momentum to not only defend, but extend welfare rights, particularly over pensions, has been given a big boost, despite government attempts to cut back in order to meet the criteria for monetary union.

Rene Barthes, a leading communist and union activist in Marseille, told the Weekly Worker that the government was now on the defensive:

“They are at their lowest ever rating in the polls and are faced with an ‘unacceptable’ level of class struggle - it is not only the lorry drivers who are taking action.

“Unfortunately the solidarity was not as extensive as I would have liked. Instead of bringing forward their own claims, leaders of other sections were content with token actions. We did however organise a solidarity convoy of cars in the Marseille area, and supplied the lorry drivers with a lorry full of food.

“And the slogan, ‘Tous ensemble’ [strike together], is still alive. It was very significant that the lorry drivers, who are not renowned for their militancy, took such direct action, even though only a minority were union members. It was completely different from the ‘strike’ of the early 80s which was actually organised by the bosses, like the one in Chile directed against Allende.

“Sometimes when workers choose to fight they are left isolated, but not on this occasion.

“The lorry drivers enjoyed overwhelming support among the whole population, and the government did not dare intervene directly, for example through calling in the CRS state thugs. It is quite a change and there are signs of things moving forward.

“It may well be that the ruling class will resort to a pro-Maastricht, ‘left’ government, which may include members of the Parti Communiste Français. There is no doubt that the PCF is prepared to participate in such a government. Not only are the leaders openly dropping Lenin, but also Marx - not to mention socialism.

“There are signs of a rebellion amongst Party members. I was narrowly elected as delegate to the 29th PCF Congress later this month.”

Pressure is mounting throughout Europe against attacks on workers as states try to meet the criteria for monetary union.

In order to oppose a bosses’ Europe the working class needs to organise together in European-wide unions.

Crucially, we must organise politically for a workers’ Europe to ensure that socialism is put back on the agenda.

Jim Blackstock