“Comminges retirees are angry!”: Saint-Gaudens takes part in the national mobilization against a change in the revaluation of pensions

Saint-Gaudens took part in the national mobilization of retirees this Tuesday, December 3. Around thirty people gathered at Place Jean-Jaurès mid-morning, under a banner with a clear message: “The Comminges retirees are angry!” As the walk to the sub-prefecture was about to begin, the three union representatives from the Comminge CGT, Solidaires and FSU branches were invited to meet Gilles Pellegrin, the sub-prefect. An exchange during which the demonstrators were able to express their fears, such as the removal of the annual increase in pensions currently set for January 1st.

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In fact, the government plans to pay part of the increase in July, an avenue envisaged to make savings in the 2025 budget. “How would you react if your boss paid you the increase he owes you with six months late?” protests Pascal Parapes, CGT representative. The unions also denounce a system which always catches up with inflation: “In seven years, we have lost three and a half months of pension, a considerable figure in view of the increase in the cost of living.” calculates Dominique Boutonnet, Solidaires representative.

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The issue of small pensions was also raised with the sub-prefect. In France, more than one in two retirees receive less than 1,200 euros in pension per month. “We want to make an effort, but we are pushing too hard. We must not forget that without retirees, there are not many people left to run associations or get involved in local political life. We participate already a lot.”, argues Michèle Save, FSU representative. The sub-prefect is committed to raising the demands of retirees.