As everywhere in France, demonstrations are organized in several towns in the department, at the initiative of the CGT, this Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
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This is the first social mobilization of the school year. The CGT, the second largest union in France, is calling for a strike and demonstrations on this first day of October. Gatherings are taking place in 179 towns in France, including seven in the North and four in Pas-de-Calais.
The CGT is joined by Solidaires and the FSU, as well as various youth unions. The CFDT, FO, CGE-CGC, CFTC and Unsa, for their part, did not join the demonstration. “It is a mobilization against social poverty, for the increase in wages, the repeal of the pension reform and the defense of public services.”, explains Hamid Chebout, coordinator of the departmental union of CGT 59.
This national call follows the latest political events, explains the union representative: “With the June elections, we clearly saw the aspirations for change among workers. However, the ballet of the first ministers that we witnessed, followed by the appointment of Michel Barnier… It does not go in the direction of what they wanted.”
It is a mobilization against social poverty, for an increase in wages, the repeal of pension reform and the defense of public services.
Hamid Cheboutcoordinator of the departmental union of the CGT 59
The CGT thus intends to take to the streets to give voice “against President Macron, who is still the friend of capital and still committed to his liberal policies”.
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Nevertheless, Hamid Chebout emphasizes that “October 1st is not an end in itself!”. The important thing for the CGT: “It’s about organizing yourself as a business. Employees must not remain isolated, they must organize collectively.” The union therefore calls on workers to mobilize within their companies to fight for better wages and working conditions, and for pensions.
While it is difficult to know what scale the demonstration will be, the AFP says it could “turn out to be quite weak”, quoting on condition of anonymity a union source, who mentions “rises from the ground which are not goods”.
In the North, Hamid Chebout, however, affirms that different issues must be taken into account. “We have a lot of industrial projects coming up in the department… But we don’t see anything coming in terms of employment and improvement of working conditions.” He also specifies that there is “strong mobilization at La Poste”.
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In the North, the rallying point for the day is set in Lille at 2:30 p.m., for the departmental demonstration. According to SNCF, no disruption is expected on the train lines in Hauts-de-France.
