(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL - Unionism, Higher Education: A backward or in white coats? (fr, pt)

 [machine translation]

When you want to win a fight, you have to decide to break with the "apolitical", which is 
usually marinated in the most tepid conformity. This is the current challenge in the 
mobilization of Higher Education and Research against restructuring, insecurity and 
suffering at work. ---- In June, the National Committee of CNRS[1] appealed denouncing the 
policy choices of the government and proposing an alternative budget. The Inter supported 
the initiative but struggled so far to build a real mobilization. A window opened this 
summer with the pulse of the collective Sciences on. ---- First Montpellier committee 
called for the organization of markets converging on Paris on October 17 about three 
slogans: ---- the creation of statutory posts; ---- recurrent funding (ie not dependent on 
calls for proposals) labs and facs; doctorate in recognition of collective agreements.

Today twenty six routes and local committees were formed.

"Apolitical": the end of the film we know

This is where things get complicated. One of the organizers wants to build a 
"non-political" mobilization sticking to the three claims, get the most out of 
institutional support (lab directors or presidents facs, winners of scientific awards 
start-ups ...) so spread the unions tried too "radical" and limit local committees of the 
relay, the political leadership of the movement being delegated to the national committee 
of the CNRS or directors of labs.

This approach is reminiscent of the mobilization of 2004, which left a bitter taste in 
many advocates and activists. Indeed, once past the mass mobilization and summer, the 
government had pulled the rug from under the feet of the movement away his claims to make 
the Pact for Research, the predecessor of LRU which is suffering the consequences today 
(autonomy facs, logical excellence, evaluation and certification of teachers and 
researchers etc.).

The movement is limited to discussing the form (does it show or scroll backwards in white 
coats?) And not at the bottom, he found himself completely helpless.

Today, the department sent its first-against fires: open research positions at the expense 
of competition of engineers, technicians and administrative (divide and rule), create a 
"postdoc status" (ie -dire an exception to the limits of the use of fixed-term contracts 
for PhDs, in particular the limit of 6 years and access to restricted competition 
"Sauvadet") and replenish the National Research Agency (agency manager calls to project, 
so funding for labs would still be conditional on "merit").

If the movement does not give itself the means to position itself so we know already the 
end of the film.

Assume confrontation

Another part of the movement, especially where unions are influential, seeks to involve 
the largest number of staff in both the debate and action, and goes to the confrontation 
of ideas with bangs "ecumenical". So far, the difficulties are overcome and the arrival of 
the way Paris is indeed a protest demonstration, with strike notice, despite strong 
initial reluctance collective Sciences on.

It is now that we must lay the groundwork to extend the mobilization beyond this first 
installment, which involves assume clear confrontation with the powers that be. Again, the 
discussion will be needed, especially in our unions, as many activists and militants are 
still hesitant, considering the PS as the last dam before the FN. Or if a social front 
does not emerge to put a halt to the government, it will take us down with him and let the 
FN or "fascis?e" as the only alternative UMP.

Gregory (AL Orleans)

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[1] Composed of approximately 1,000 members, about half being elected representatives of 
all the scientific disciplines.