The French Union Bureaucracy Tries to Bury the Movement Against the Pension Reform by Resuming “Social Dialogue”

After historic May 1st protests, the Inter-Union announced the following day that the next mobilization will take place on Tuesday, June 6. This distant date appears only to be conceived of as a way to pressure the National Assembly, which continues its strategy of defeat and prepares to bury the movement.

France: Macron Bets On His Presidency as Millions Rise Up

A historic two weeks of mobilizations against Macron’s pension reform, with several sectors going into open-ended strikes, and including a spectacular show of solidarity on International Women’s Day. Yet despite the massive turnout, the government pushed through the reform Thursday night, using an antidemocratic maneuver to bypass the National Assembly. Which direction will the movement take? Will it fizzle out in a failed top-down union strategy, or will it generalize the struggle to all sectors from the bottom up?

France: The Strike Is Here to Stay!

Lawyers are throwing their robes at the feet of the Justice Minister. Workers in the Louvre shut down the world’s largest art museum. Firefighters are hosing down government buildings. The working class is in an uproar against Macron’s attacks on retirement benefits and they will not back down.

France Enters Second Month of National Strike

As union leaders negotiate with the government behind the backs of their rank and file, France’s workers continue to strike against Macron’s plan to overhaul the pension system. Yesterday’s national day of action occurred alongside a 96-hour blockade of eight oil refineries around the country and brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets.

Prospects of the General Strike in France

The success of the December 5 national strike and its continuation, as well as the renewal of the strike in several strategic sectors such as transportation, show a qualitative leap in the class struggle in France and perhaps even globally.

Mass Mobilizations in France Against Macron’s Pension Reform

This Wednesday, the French government unveiled the details of its proposed pension reform. Tuesday marked the second day of mass mobilization, while an ongoing general strike had already paralyzed the country for six days.

France Paralyzed by Largest General Strike in Decades

A general strike began in France today against President Emmanuel Macron's sweeping pension reform. The strike has been called by unions representing railway and transport workers, hospital workers, teachers, firefighters, and students. The biggest of its kind in decades, the strike currently paralyzing France is expected to continue through the week.

Brazilian Workers Strike Against Bolsonaro’s Pension Cuts

Work stoppages took place in 111 cities and towns, mainly in public transit. Demonstrations were held in 181 cities.

How to Kill a Bill: Mass Protests Stall Unpopular Pension Reform in Argentina

An attempt to reform the pension system in Argentina elicits vigorous popular rejection. After a brief spring following October elections, Mauricio Macri’s right wing government faces the deepest crisis and most concerted opposition since he took office in 2015.