In recent days, there have been 2 good examples of where mobilisation has paid off: in France, with the acquittal of FNME-CGT leaders in Bordeaux in court facing public order offences related to the defence of pension rights in France, and in Belgium where the controversial ‘Van Quickenborne’ proposals to restrict the right to demonstrate have been abandoned after massive mobilisation. 

In France, the FNME-CGT was targeted in the aftermath of the anti-Macron pension protests last year and a number of union regional leaders in Bordeaux and Marseilles, officers and activists have faced prosecution on public order offences as a result of legitimate strike action, including FNME-CGT General Secretary Sebastien Menesplier. Together with the ETUC and EPSU, industriAll Europe organized solidarity actions for the trade unionists impacted and a solidarity action in support for our French comrades in front of French Embassy in Brussels. This week charges were dropped against FNME-CGT members in Bordeaux. 

Meanwhile, in Belgium, trade unions and civil society organisations mobilized thousands to protest the judicial ban on the right to protest that the former Justice Minister Van Quickenborne wanted to impose. After successful demonstrations, the ban has now been definitely abandoned, preserving the right to strike.

These are solid victories in the protection of our democratic and trade union rights!

However, the struggle continues. In Finland, the far Right government continues to target the right to strike, and many trade unionists face union repression for participating in demonstrations, and for exerting their fundamental rights as trade unionists and workers, across Europe. Notably, the outstanding prosecutions of French trade unionists need to be dropped.

IndustriAll Europe will continue to stand by our comrades and fight for our fundamental rights! Trade unionism is not a crime!