Force Ouvrière Leaves Pension Reform Talks, Calling It a “Sham”

On February 27th, the Force Ouvrière (FO) union decided to leave the pension reform negotiations less than 20 minutes after the first meeting between social partners began. Michel Beaugas, FO’s negotiator, expressed his dissatisfaction by labeling the talks a “sham,” arguing that the goal was to make it seem like extending the working age for employees was the only solution. “For us, it’s over,” he declared upon exiting.

Criticism of the Format and the Mandate Letter

The decision to leave the talks came after several unions expressed their concerns ahead of the meeting. Michel Beaugas explained that neither the format, nor the scope, nor the method of the discussions were acceptable to the union. A major point of contention was the mandate letter sent by Prime Minister François Bayrou, which imposes a financial balance target for the pension system by 2030. This letter was perceived as a constraint by the unions, particularly FO, who believes it limits the scope of discussions.

Desire for Negotiation Within a Broader Framework

Michel Beaugas also denounced what he called a “trap” and emphasized that the union wants negotiations to take place under the framework of labor law, focused on guarantees concerning training, gender equality, working conditions, and salaries. He further stated that Force Ouvrière does not want the union institutions to be manipulated and reiterated their independence.

Reactions from Other Unions and Political Figures

Other unions expressed similar reservations about the constraints imposed by the mandate letter. At CFTC, Pascale Cotton pointed out that employees should not be the only ones contributing to the necessary adjustments for the pension system, referring to the tax benefits given to businesses. Christelle Thieffinne of CFE-CGC also voiced doubts about the financial targets to be achieved by 2030, finding it hard to understand the full extent of these demands.

Meanwhile, CFDT took a more measured approach, stressing the importance of finding a balance but criticizing the dramatization of the pension system’s finances. MEDEF president Patrick Martin also expressed pessimism about the talks even before they began.

Context of Distrust and Protest

The cancellation of the 2023 pension reform, particularly the postponement of the retirement age from 62 to 64, remains a key demand for all the unions involved. In this climate of distrust, the government has expressed its desire to continue talks, but this initial departure highlights the challenges that may mark the future of the pension reform discussions.