Union votes against strike on 12 May

The federal committee of the socialist trade union ABVV have voted not to strike again on 12 May. The committee’s vote means the decision need no longer go to a vote of the membership.

The federal committee is made up of representatives of all sector organisations and regional branches of the union. The vote went against the proposal 65% to 34%.

The union last went on official strike on 22 April, in protest at the plans of the centre-right government to cut spending, skip indexation of wages (but not rent increases) and amend the rules on pension ages. That strike was supported by members of the Christian union ACV, although it was not officially backed by ACV leadership.

While rejecting another strike next month, ABVV did say that it would intensify its actions on raising awareness of the problems of unemployment, pensions and European-wide cuts to public services. Protests will take place on 12 May to publicise youth employment, and 28 May has been designated Tax Justice Day. Other actions will take place throughout June.

“We will continue to take a stand against this government and use whatever resources are available to do so,” said a federal committee spokesperson. “Striking will be done whenever necessary. As long as this government’s money-saving policy is maintained, the workers have no choice but to continue with social resistance.”