French unions divided over pensions

Two of France’s five nationally representative union confederations, the CGT and the FO, are planning national action on 10 September over government changes to the pension system.

They will be supported by two smaller union confederations, the FSU and Solidaires, but not the three other nationally representative confederations, CFDT, CFTC and CFE-CGC.

The action is likely to come before the government announces its detailed plans to close the funding gap in the French system, expected to reach ¤20 biliion (£17 billion) by 2020.

The plans are likely to involve an increase in the length of contributions needed to obtain a full pension — currently 41.5 years, but not an increase in the formal retirement age.

Any extension of the period of contributions needed has been rejected by the CGT, FO and the others planning action.

However, the CFDT is open to a moderate increase, while the CFE-CGC, which represents senior staff, would like the time spent in higher education included as part of the contributions record.

The unions’ current divided stance contrasts with the position in 2010. At that time, a united front by the unions brought millions onto the streets in repeated demonstrations against the then government’s plan to increase the lowest possible retirement age from 60 to 62.