The debate on pension reform proposed by François Bayrou: “It's a way forward that we're not going to deprive ourselves of”

En redonnant la main aux partenaires sociaux sur le dossier des retraites, François Bayrou ouvre une autre voie. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

The region's employee unions welcome the possibility of “modifying” the content of the law passed in 2023, while employers hope to define “budgetary balances”.

Friday will see the start of a new chapter in the debate on pension reform. François Bayrou will bring together the social partners at Matignon, to whom he will give the lead again to find a consensus. If, as is clear from his general policy speech last Tuesday, there is neither suspension nor repeal of the law voted in 2023 following the use of Article 49-3, the “restart” of this explosive issue requires a revival of consultation between unions and employers. A “conclave” social.

“We still think that the bill is bad, reacts Stéphane Bonnetain, general secretary of the CFDT Occitanie, however, we see in the discussions that will open an opportunity to modify its content”. The Prime Minister proposes that the social partners meet for three months, starting from the publication of the Court of Auditors' report on “the current and precise state of the financing of the pension system”. Which should position the end of the discussions at the beginning of the summer.

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“The issue is budgetary balances”

“We will engage in discussions with the social partners, confirms Samuel Hervé, president of Medef Occitanie. As soon as the social partners find common ground, it will facilitate votes in Parliament”. Nevertheless, he insists, the employers will participate with a specific objective: “to remind that the issue is budgetary balances and the cost of labor”.

“Since the 35-hour week, politicians have always decided for the partners social, Franck Mary-Montlaur, FO departmental delegate for Hérault, is keen to point out. We are in favour of negotiation because we are part of the world of work. Now, with this announcement, we are being given the floor again.”Insisting that on many issues, the social partners “are not doing a bad job”.

An opportunity to speak out again

For the unions, it is a question of seizing the opportunity to speak out again on the pension issue. “Negotiation is our core business, insists Stéphane Bonnetain. When there is a way forward, we are not going to deprive ourselves of it”. “The social partners want consultation,” supports Samuel Hervé. We are, of course, on a ridge path, but we have a responsibility to find common ground”.

Departmental delegate of the CGT Hérault, Serge Ragazzacci is rather “dubious” about the next steps proposed by the Prime Minister. “I am dubious about the method used, he says. Firstly because the deadlines are tight and then because the pressure is on the employees' union organisations. The employers have nothing to lose, since if we do not find an agreement, the reform will be applied, as they wish.” This Wednesday, François Bayrou nevertheless specified that even without an agreement, a new version of the reform could be proposed to Parliament.

“The great omission of employment”

The CGT leader pointed out what he considers to be “the omission of the general policy discourse, namely employment”. However, he points out, “without employment, there are no pensions, they are still financed by salaries, let's not forget that”. “Today, the main thing is that we give parity a voice again”, suggests Samuel Hervé. Because, he adds, “we must give it back all its lost nobility”.

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