Unions are also anxious to occupy the land

Not small ovens or great speeches to Bernard Thibault. The CGT yesterday, announced that it does would not the traditional wishes, this afternoon, of Nicolas Sarkozy to the social partners. "No doubt the encouragement to the"social dialogue"and the need for"strong unions"will be classically present in the greeting.". "The CGT refuses to assist this sham", ton Central. The Elysee is not necessarily surprised by this move of brilliance (the CGT had previously warned) but judge "surprising" play the empty chair at "an appointment that is not a negotiating session but a Republican tradition".

This absence, a first, illustrates the State of relations between unions and the Executive at the end of the conflict on pensions. "They are a little leaded," euphémise Jean-Claude Mailly (FO) and the CFDT cache more that she made on a political alternation in 2012. The Elysee knows that "mending ties be complicated", but fits in. After a succession of reforms, budgetary rigour and tightened before the presidential election schedule encourage it limiting social sites. The oeillades and the major peaks of the quinquennium beginning time is far away: this is above all a social transition year that will open Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Government will concentrate, red wire on the heavy and complex record of dependence and shorter term employment of young people, via a new plan for learning. It consult on these two themes but, beyond, the head of State will invite employers and unions to advance themselves, including the employment of senior citizens and nowhere for the sharing of added value and flexicurity. "The ball is in their camp," noted François Fillon, end of November. The Government also press employers to reflect on the reform of its representativeness. But Medef is especially urged to wait. Full thrust of fever on the 35 hours, the head of State should also remind, slips his entourage, "the 35-hour sauce Aubry have already experience". The very political course of the debate concerned the unions as employers (see opposite).

What encourage them to wake up. "It is time and even necessary to relaunch the interprofessional dialogue", says Laurence Parisot (Medef). Unions are also anxious to occupy the land. "It must provide employers with its responsibilities," says Bernard Van Craeynest, President of GSC (read below).

Uncertain commitment to advance

Return to the negotiating table is required to review the convention on unemployment insurance and the agreement on supplementary pensions, coming to term. Monday, the social partners will gather to refine the rest of the social agenda. Discussions on the employment of young people are announced and the Medef proposed a "deliberation" on the financing of social protection and "exchanges" on the "life at work." Laurence Parisot refers also, cautiously, "a more comprehensive reflection on employment and securing routes."

Topics are potentially ambitious, but the ability and the genuine will to advance may fail. First and foremost concerned about the fragility of the recovery, management excludes costly or binding measures. The gap is likely to be large with Union expectations. In December, the meeting of the CGT and the Medef has confirmed that many exchanges could quickly turn short. The social partners should therefore focus on "simple and concrete" measures (Medef). And already, some are likely to continue to drag discussions on sensitive issues, such as the reform of the joint system and of the representatives of the staff.