It is the first May Day after 87 years (since 1936) that the French unions come down together with a slogan of a social nature, such as the pension one.

That is why they characterize today’s May Day as “historic”, taking into account the number of people who believe that it will be mobilized at more than 300 gathering points throughout the country during the day, combined with the current participation of foreign unions, such as “European Trade Union Confederation”.

Do they think that the French president will back down on retirement at 64 even though it has already been established? “Not today. Let’s not lie,” Laurent Berget, head of the CFDT reform union – the largest in France today – said this morning.

So the hopes are now focused on the coming Wednesday, May 3 and the expected approval or not (RIP) of the “Joint Initiative Referendum”, submitted by the opposition and which could turn the tables.

Tomorrow the response to the Prime Minister’s invitation to dialogue

At the same time, the invitation of Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne for a restart of the dialogue with the unions is expected. The Inter-Union Consultative Body meets tomorrow to come up with a joint response to the Prime Minister’s calls to explore consents for major new reforms, including labour, immigration and more.

However, Laurent Berget said today that whatever the answer of the Inter-Union Body “the CFDT will respond to the invitation, even if alone”.

At the same time, he explained that he “does not agree at all with trade union actions at cultural or sporting events” such as yesterday’s for the French Cup, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, or the power cut during events, as has already been attempted.

Are we at a first crack in trade union unity?