(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL (September) -
unionism, Sebastian and Noura (SUD-PTT): "The strikers of the Eure
were never isolated es" (fr, it, pt) [machine translation]
For two weeks, from June 22 to July 7, letter carriers of Val-de-Reuil (Eure) were on
strike. This is certainly not the longest conflict in The Post, however, has a
specificity: solidarity established between wage earners, users and local officials who
have made a front facing towards La Poste more vicious than ever, that even tried to hire
taxis to replace strikers. ---- Faced with the maneuvers of the bosses of the Post, we
could see the users and-using blocking their mailboxes in solidarity with the strikers,
food parcels for the strikers brought by residents and solidarity funds voted in municipal
councils. Return on strike with two SUD-PTT unionists who participated in the conflict,
Sebastian and Noura.
Alternative Libertaire: What is the origin of the conflict?
Sebastian and Noura: The conflict originated a reorganization of sites Val-de-Reuil,
Louviers and Alizay. This reorganization includes the creation of seven tours bag [1]
which are added the removal of eight rounds, Louviers closing the site and the removal of
some of the factors of Alizay. To cope with this reorganization the HSC commissioned an
independent firm of experts who presented a more eloquent report, pointing to the danger
of the reorganization for agents. The introduction of bags and touring too large deletions
were particularly implicated. La Poste has decided not to consider this report and move
its project in strength, no matter what.
But realistically, the consequences of this reorganization, what is it?
Sebastian and Noura: The principle of satchel shot results in a delay in the distribution
of time and therefore of later toured with, in case of refusal of the Post Office to pay
for additional hours, the risk of regularly see part of the undistributed tour. For years
we are fighting against all those hours we perform free for the employer.
How are elected and users entered the strike?
Sebastian and Noura: Elected officials were informed early on of the conflict and came
themselves regularly on the picket line to support morally and financially factors. A real
relay is set up between elected officials, the public and the strikers through leaflets,
media and social networks, and the public came massively to support the strikers, even to
demonstrate daily outside the gates of Centre to demand real negotiations, organizing
filtering dams and complete blockage of the day center to put pressure on management.
And a conflict of this type that manages how daily?
Sebastian and Noura: To manage such conflicts, it is important to have a strong presence
activist at all hours. Whether for negotiations or to manage the everyday, the more days
pass and more tensions rise and we must at all costs avoid slippage expects management to
break the negotiations.
We organized a solidarity rally on the first Saturday in front of the center so that
elected officials and users can express their support for the strikers and their
commitment to a public service of proximity and quality. Meetings were held with the
Prefecture as well as participation in municipal and county council to raise awareness
among elected officials in the strike, the delegation bringing a substantive political
discourse more particularly on the case of public service organized by management.
A daily communication is implemented in the presence of the strikers, users and elected to
chronicle the progress of negotiations every day and for the renewal of the movement
daily. It was important that users are aware of the reasons for the conflict not to allow
the leadership to communicate only in the media and try to divert the likability factor.
Indeed, La Poste has a habit of denigrating the strikers when the conflict settled and
that mail is blocked.
Supports any kind are crucial in psychological conflict management that spans the length,
direction tempting to demonize the strikers and contrast the factors to users.
On the conflict management in totally failed in its communication, many users taping
themselves their mailboxes to prevent the distribution of letters in support of the strikers.
And solidarity was natural?
Sebastian and Nura: From the early days, solidarity has been set up by financial and food
support from users, quickly relayed by the trade unions and elected representatives.
An evening of solidarity was held in late July with the making available of a room by the
municipality of Pont-de-l'Arche and the establishment of a free entertainment which helped
raise funds to fuel the body Solidarity factors.
Whether by a simple presence on the picket line or through financial donations or other
strikers were never isolated es and all this kept the morale of officers rosy.
So it is a total victory?
Sebastian and Noura: The conflict ended with a victory on the line, all claims have been
satisfied. It shows three offices and colleagues united more than ever welded-es.
It also allows communication through the other center show that the struggle pays if it is
unitary. For union organization, it's a breath of fresh air because the real victories are
becoming increasingly scarce and this brings an invaluable credibility capital.
Finally, management warned that it can no longer do anything about these three offices and
it is important that other centers seize this conflict for the next reorganization.
Interviewed by Hugo (AL Orléans)
[1] The factors normally sort their mail and distribute. Bag with tours, mail is already
sorted, the factors are only distribution, which increases the difficulty of work.
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Sebastien-et-Noura-SUD-PTT-Les
