PAPER OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARXIST GROUP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of workers marched in Paris and provincial cities throughout France last Tuesday. They were observing the one-day national strike called by the CGT and CFDT union federawith striking postal workers.
Strikes swept through France's public sector after a group of postal workers in Paris walked out spontaneously on 17 October. But it is the postal workers who have remained to the fore, demanding £19 a month across-the-board increase: a minimum wage of 2155 a month, and an increase in the number of workers.
The strike has had an enormous impact: tens of thousands of nostal workers and their supporters have demonstrated in the streets of Paris. Their slogans have reflected the fact that the period of trial for French President Giscard's Government has come to an end. And while trade union leaders claim that the strikes are 'not political', one of the main chants has been: Giscard, Bartard! The masses will settle accounts with yOu."
EXAMPLE
Given the 15% inflation rate in France the postal workers' strike has provided an cxample for many other workers. The dustmen, sis workers and electricity work ers have also come out, The trade union boreaucrats, remembering only too well how they were outflanked in the great strike wave of May 65, are today sup porting the strikes, although constantly attempting to keep them firmly under their control Nonetheless, tension berweca the Government and trade unionists has reached new peaks. The police succoeded in clearing post offices occupied by striking wor Sers, but the result was massive protest demonstrations reminiscent of May 65, The army has been sent in to clear the streets of rubbish, but members of the FCR (Revolutionary Communist Front-French section of the Fourth In lernational) have distributed leaflets barracks soldiers are already beginning to protest.
Meanwhile the French warkers parttes have been adjusting themselves to the growing crisis situation. While the French CP has given up all talk of socialand state as cacless to sore 10 government of national unity with the Gaullists, the Socialist Party has moved further to the left. Its programme calls tor nor-burcaucratic socillism and selfmanagement. So while the CP is trying to make itself acceptable to the capital ists, the Socialist Party is prettifying itself to strengthen its working class base. Netther, however, ollers the workers any solwtion excepr the parliamentary one.
The CGT and CFDT are trying to hoid hock the struade by pronouns the Com mon Programme of CI-SP Union of the Left' alliance and the clection of'a left government' as the solution.
"Strike by all means, for higher wapes, but don't challenge the government" is The M359P0- Jeave cost to the Laid! of the Left". This strategy only demohalises the masses and leads even lo electoral defeats for the workers' parties.
C. Howard. 21 NOVEMBER 1974 No 77 PRICE 8p World food crisis Hoover lay offs War in Middle East Students - day of action STC strike The Budget fraud
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tons, and the federation of teach- ens" unions, the FEN, in solidarity