Re: [Marxism] Strikes in France

[Greg Dunkel <gdunkel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The point of the numbers both in the streets and the number of demonstrations 
is that they show a sharp 
increase over the last general strike held back in January.

Another significant point is that far more workers in the private sector struck 
than is generally the
case in France, where it is generally public sector workers who protest.  Both 
groups of workers have
a constitutional right to strike.

Private sector workers are more under attack.

Take the IT workers, who had a contingent of at least 500 in the Paris march.

Le Monde Informatique (3-20-2009) reported that at least 500 employees of 
IBM-France, EDS (an international data processing service) and HP marched, 
along with employees of Sun, Bull and a few 
other it companies.  More marched in Grenoble and Lyons.

They marched behind a banner saying "Crisis for us, profits for them." Gerard 
Chameau, a union leader
of the CFDT in IBM told Le Monde informatique "We came out into the streets to 
get employment
guarantees at a time when outsourcing is rampant. We equally want to put an end 
to the explosion
of stress and the illnesses that flow from it.  We denounce the salary policies 
which culminate in
loss of purchasing power, while profits and dividends soar."

The head of IBM France was upset that his workers struck.

(If you want the original in French, please email me off-line.)

For those on this list who scurrilously dismiss the actions of small parties, 
Trotskyist, Maoists, Stalinists, bureaucratic reformists etcetera, I should 
point out that all the recognized trade union confederations in France have 
united in this struggle against the French bourgeoisie, along with many 
community groups drawn from the North African/West African immigrant 
communities in France.

The CGT is strongly influenced by the PCF (French Communist Party) and SUD also 
has a strong influence
from the NPA (New Anticapitalist Party) & Lutte Ouvriere.  From what I've seen 
the Maoists seem to operate in SUD, while the Stalinists work in the CGT.

But what is far more significant in what is happening in France is that in the 
face of red-baiting
from the bourgeoisie and the government, plus deep historical differences, the 
French Left and the French Working class have united and carried out actions 
that have won support from 75% of the French people.  The government is openly 
working to split this coalition.

More can be said & I will say more later, but I am encouraged by what is 
happening in France.

/greg

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