Elisabeth Born invites trade unions on 16 and 17 May to Matignon

Appointment made. Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne has invited the five unions to talks to be held on 16 and 17 May in Matignon. These meetings will be held on a bilateral basis, representatives of each of these organizations (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC and CFTC) are invited to discuss with the Prime Minister one after another.

According to Europe 1, Elizabeth Bourne’s entourage explained that the agenda for discussions is “open”. Thus, several topics could be considered, including pension reform.

This will be the first meeting between Elisabeth Born and the unions since April 5, just a month ago. In an effort to “renew dialogue with trade unions” after the completion of the pension reform, the executive branch already said last week that it intends to invite trade unions to a meeting, but wishes to “miss May 1”.

“In search of consent”

In an interview with Sud-Ouest published this Friday morning, Emmanuel Macron called for “responsible social dialogue” while highlighting a “new pact” on life at work, which would also need to be negotiated with trade unions.

This pact will cover wages, working conditions, employment of pensioners and professional retraining. “The idea is to form an agenda by the summer, and then they (the social partners — editor’s note) agree on it before the end of the year,” the head of state recalled. “The spirit of responsibility is to be able to manage our differences,” he further noted, adding that “we must find harmony for the country’s ambitions.”

The day after the successful mobilization on May 1, the unions called for a fourteenth day of action on June 6, when, two days later, deputies will consider a bill aimed at abolishing pension reform.