[France] Reforms: we will give up nothing! The struggle is not over!

English translation of a new leaflet from French Anarchist-Communist organization Alternative Libertaire. [Français]

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Reforms: we will give up nothing! The struggle is not over!

Now that the law has been voted in, we have entered into a new phase of opposition, and we must not hesitate to challenge the legitimacy of "representative democracy," as had been seen during the movement against the CPE. What we have won by struggle, we will keep only through struggle.

All the sectors of society have engaged in the struggle, each in their own way, testifying to the anger accumulated through the past years against this racist and authoritarian government in service of the bourgeoisie, as well as for the bosses and their henchmen that always accept more of the wealth created by our labor. The importance of the demonstrations, rarely hitherto equaled, testify to the firm opposition to the pension reforms, but as well to the profound crisis of legitimacy felt by the present government and system.

Solidify the radicalization of the movement

It has been through the determination of certain union federations and numerous local teams that have allowed the real breakthrough of this movement. This has allowed them to deter the majority of the unions from solely placing themselves with the aim of negotiating the details of the new law. Provided, if the battle of opinion has been won and if the participation of the demonstrations has been massive; there has been nonetheless real difficulty in redirecting and enlarging the strikes. The unions have thus succeeded in taking hold of the organization of the movement. Their latest announcements, with no support for renewable strikes, with condemnation of acts of against "property and people," and lengthening the space between days of mobilization; show a very clear intention to little by little bury the movement and to avoid a challenge to the legitimacy of the government; leaving the field open for the French Socialist Party (PS) and other opposition parties to present the following elections as the sole way to express our anger.
But is not in creating a new common program with the Social-Liberal Left that the social movement will be able to make heard their grievances! The French Socialist Party has clearly said that they are for the lengthening of the duration of pension payments as well as the “enacting” of previous reforms. Thus, if we want to change society, we must organize ourselves and take things into our own hands without waiting form some party to give us some solution.

Create a Front against Capital !

The current mass movement has become dynamic by the impulse of renewable strikes et blockades that testify to the radicalization of some of the workers and their unions. In attacking the operation of the capitalist economy by halting production of the petrol refineries and the blockading of fuel depots, the workers have reaffirmed their importance in the production of wealth. All the world can attest that it is not the managerial class that brings fuel to gas stations. These actions have always benefited by strong support from the public. We must ensure that this consciousness and radicalization in the modalities of action are translated into real opposition to the directives in the confederal unions, and by a unity in action by trade unionists in struggle within and between unions. And beyond the current movement to defend our pensions, we must not hesitate to mobilize to create a front against the incessant attacks from the government against our social rights; notably against the attacks taken against abortion rights by the expedient of the hospital reform. How much longer will we accept these social set-backs that Right imposes on us?

For another form of society ! We must question the way with which the capitalists have us work and organize their society : it is the workers that create wealth, and it is the workers that must decide the organization of labor and the distribution of wealth! Why must the bosses and the government that are meant to serve us be able to decide for us? What we defend in the struggles, and as a long-term perspective, is the self-organization of society & self-management of production to collectively decide our needs.

The future is not 2012!

Expect nothing from the elections, the time is now to continue our struggle!

Published November 5th, 2010 by the Secretariat of the Enterprise Branch.

The translation from the French by Julio C. - juliocervantes at riseup dot net