Faced with the new geopolitical situation, unions refuse to abandon Ukrainian workers

While political forces are divided following the American withdrawal of aid to Ukraine, unions are trying to remain united in supporting Ukrainian workers, all defending a "just and lasting peace". The question of European defence does not enjoy unanimous support.

"The moment demands decisions unprecedented for many decades. [...] That is why [...] I invite all the political, economic and trade union forces in the country to make proposals in light of this new context. Tomorrow's solutions cannot be yesterday's habits." In his televised address on the geopolitical situation, Emmanuel Macron spoke directly to trade union organisations. For three years since the Russian attack on Ukrainian territory, all French unions have been united in an inter-union coalition to support, without fail, the Ukrainian resistance.

Thus, all trade union organisations were present at the mobilisations to support Ukraine on 23 February, three years after the beginning of the Russian invasion. "The inter-union coalition is still united in support of workers in Ukraine. In addition to the mobilisation on 23 February, we are considering a new gathering in the coming days. In the current context, civil society must express itself on this issue. It's too important to hear only from politicians," emphasises Béatrice Lestic, in charge of international relations at CFDT.

"The trade union movement is not mistaken in reiterating, more than ever, its support for Ukraine," says B. Lestic.

"The situation has deteriorated considerably and that worries us enormously. More than ever, solidarity with Ukrainians is the order of the day," adds Boris Plazzi, confederal secretary in charge of international relations at CGT.

Turning point

The current context is an unprecedented upheaval in the geopolitical balance of power with a worrying rapprochement between the United States and Russia. A shift that necessarily questions the historical positions of many progressive organisations, with unions at the forefront. "We cannot act as if nothing is happening," argues Béatrice Lestic.

The trade unionist condemns the social model defended by the Trump-Putin axis, which she deems dangerous for workers. "Never has a far-right regime been favourable to trade union organisations. What we are witnessing is not the madness of one man, but a political project that goes against everything we defend, on work, on public services. So the trade union movement is not mistaken in reiterating, more than ever, its support for Ukraine."

From CFDT to Solidaires, the position is shared across the entire union spectrum, even if the radicality of the terms used differs from one union to another. "In Ukraine, as in Palestine, in Africa, or in Kanaky, everywhere, imperialism, liberticidal regimes, the far right are the enemies of populations who aspire to freedom, to social emancipation," reads a statement published on 3 March by Solidaires.

"Ukrainians will be transformed into slaves," says M. Volynets.

Since the beginning of the war, unions have sent several union convoys according to the needs of Ukrainian workers' organisations. The most recent one departed in mid-2024. This is a point that all our union contacts emphasise. Support for Ukraine passes, for them, through local trade union organisations and not through Volodymyr Zelensky. "We are absolutely not in a Zelenskymania, like others," explains Béatrice Lestic.

Indeed, the Ukrainian president is also taking advantage of the war period to pass laws that break labour rights and local social achievements. "We have been in full battle with the Ukrainian government for many months. Because the Ministry of Economy decided to reform the labour code without any proper consultation. [This] new project protects the interests of employers and not employees. [...] Ukrainians will be transformed into slaves," Mykhailo Volynets, president of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU), told our colleagues at L'Humanité. "We also support Ukrainians in their union actions, it's very important," adds Boris Plazzi.

Shaken unity

"In 2022, the support of the Ukrainian population vis-à-vis the state and certain institutions such as the army was enormous. Zelensky was perceived as the charismatic leader of the resistance. That doesn't mean we supported all government initiatives, far from it. The position of the unions consisted, for example, of expressing disagreements with the government's actions, particularly with the modifications to the labour code, without engaging in a frontal social struggle, both because martial law prohibits strikes and demonstrations, but also because the material insecurity of workers risked making any strike unpopular. Until early 2023, there was this strong unity behind the state, but social tensions are returning," philosopher Daria Saburova analysed in our columns a few days ago.

Nevertheless, the new geopolitical situation could shake this unity. Particularly on the question of "European defence", whilst several workers' organisations have a deeply pacifist tradition. At CFDT, they openly defend the idea also advocated by Emmanuel Macron. "We voted for this at our last congress in Lyon. But saying that we want a European defence does not mean that it should be done at the expense of social spending and social achievements," insists Béatrice Lestic.

This stance is far from that of Force Ouvrière (FO). The third largest French union denounces in a statement "the warmonger postures and any war escalation", and assures that "without being indifferent to the security of the nation, FO does not want to participate either in the instrumentalisation or in the integration of workers' trade union organisations into a war economy, synonymous with renunciation and abandonment of workers' demands".

Concerns

The CGT, for its part, is staying away from this debate for now. "We have not taken a position on the issue," whispers Boris Plazzi, who assures, however, that he "prefers a peace economy to a war economy". The CGT, like the rest of the organisations, is particularly concerned about how such increases in defence spending would be implemented in a context of public finance crisis.

"There is unanimity in saying that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, but on the means to take action, there is no common clear-cut position," says B. Lestic.

And this, while Emmanuel Macron has already assured – without being able to guarantee it, no longer having a majority – that there would be no tax increases. "Reforms, choices, and courage will be needed," he maintained. A discourse that can legitimately worry trade union organisations when one knows the history of reforms carried out for nearly eight years by the late presidential majority.

At the European level, it is this question that risks crystallising tensions, as several European countries – particularly from the south – could drastically increase defence-related spending. At the expense of what? The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which brings together 88 European trade union confederations, quickly took a position in support of Ukraine during the Russian invasion. But a common position on the question of the means to be implemented to support the Ukrainian people is not emerging, despite the context.

"There is unanimity in saying that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, but on the means to take action, there is no common clear-cut position," sighs Béatrice Lestic. One thing remains certain, however: in a definite context of rising tensions and an arms race, unions will need, more than ever, to be vigilant. Because war is rarely – if ever – the friend of social progress.