Whose Streets? Our Streets!

Both Paris and London are today witnessing a late summer preview of what will be an autumn of discontent across Europe. In Paris--and throughout France--there are strikes and mass demonstrations opposing a government proposal that would raise the age at which full pensions can be paid. In London, the trade union RMT has closed down most of the Underground--“subway” is the American word--system.

In these actions, the working-class asserts that, in the words of a song widely sung yesterday on American Labor Day, “without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.” These actions demonstrate that the working-class is always potentially hegemonic, can lay claim to Herrschaft, and lead society forward.

Even though many French people would agree to raising the age at which full pensions can begin, 70% of them--according to an interesting poll--support the September 7 strikes and demonstrations. This support indicates wide approval of a display of working-class strength and solidarity.

Relatively early retirement was one of  benefits offered to the new “middle class” that arose in the boom and subsequent credit bubble periods. The attempt to withdraw this benefit suggests the temporary and ultimately illusory character of this class formation. But it should be understood that retirement at age 60 on a full pension is possible only for those workers who have worked and paid into the system for 40.5 years. Unless one accumulates the 40.5 years, retirement with full pension is at age 65.

The RMT in England is one of  the first trade unions to begin to distance itself from the Labour Party, which has removed from its constitution a commitment to socialism. The RMT and its general-secretary Bob Crow
have participated in electoral alliances involving the Socialist Party (CWI) and the Communist Party of Britain. Its militancy is evident in this strike of the Underground workers.

The austerity measures (or “cuts”)  proposed in the two nations and across Europe have not yet won parliamentary approval. When they are implemented, there will be huge job losses.  The RMT faced the loss of 800 jobs and closed down London. What will the working-class response be when the job losses are in the thousands or tens of thousands?