Rail strikes can still disrupt daily lives

Was the strike a success?

I would say it was unexceptional. When you look at the number of people on strike and out on the streets – and in France we have a big reputation for frequent demonstrations – this one was not a very big one, and certainly not when we compare it to the 1995 demonstrations against the social security reforms.

You have to understand that the context is totally different. (In 1995 there was a series of strikes with popular support. The railway network was in chaos for a month, thousands took to the streets. The government was forced to amend its reforms).

Was the turnout low because there is less dissatisfaction than there was in 1995?

There are several reasons. In 1995 there was a proposed reform of the railways but also of the social security system so more people were affected.

But public opinion has changed since then. There is a certain acceptance that, with Europe, France has no choice but to enter into competition with its railways.

Does Macron have public opinion with him and his reforms?

Macron has arrived at the right moment. The political and historical context favours change.

You can be a competent leader but not be in power at the right time.

Many people think that reforms have been necessary for the past 30 years and now they accept they need to go ahead. They say, well even if we aren’t in total agreement, we think things have got to change so we will not fight them.

Also the opposition is not strong. Macron only has the extreme parties against him, the Front National and [Jean-Luc] Mélenchon (leader of La France Insoumise).

How much power do unions have?

They have a great deal less power than they did. The unions in France are the weakest in the whole of Europe.

We have more demonstrations and strikes, but that is because the weaker the unions are around the negotiating table with the employers, the more they have to resort to demonstrations to try and get their message across.

Has Macron got nothing to fear? Will he be able to get his reforms through?

Things can always change. The demonstrations quickly became violent on March 22.

If there is an incident, such as there was when a young man was killed in 2014, then public opinion could quickly change and go against him. (21-year-old Rémi Fraisse died from a police stun grenade thrown during a demonstration against a proposed dam at Sivens, Tarn.)

Also, by using the ordonnance system for the SNCF reform [the
government can ask parliament to allow it to pass certain laws without debate, by ordonnance] he will get it through, and he cannot turn back without losing his support, particularly from the right.

He has to get this one through to be able to succeed with future changes he plans for the civil service, retirement and labour law.

Do you think the railways will be disrupted over the next few weeks even though the March 22 strike did not have a strong following?

It does not need many people to take action to cause disruption to the public. If 25% of contrôleurs (conductors) on trains strike, 25% of trains will not run because for safety each train has to have one on board.

So, depending on who takes part in the rail strikes over the next three months there could be massive disruption.

In France, there is no need for a vote by workers to go on strike, a union can simply call a strike. So, the scale of disruption does not necessarily measure the scale of the protest.