Sound trucks in May Day demonstrations across France blasted out the new song by the radical Jolie Môme theater company. Over 200,000 marched in 150 cities, demanding more buying power and condemning the government "reform" requiring 41 years’ work (instead of 40) for a full retirement pension. The demands reflected the reformism of the trade unions that organize May Day here.

Nevertheless, in Paris (30,000 marchers), pride of place was given to undocumented immigrants who’ve been striking since April 15, demanding legalization. In Marseilles, 30,000 marched behind a banner reading "May ’68, May 2008: the struggle continues." In Nantes, a student union contingent chanted their banner’s slogan: "The struggle is ... class against class!"

Today’s demonstrations kick off a month of struggle, including a coming teachers’ and government workers’ strike and nation-wide protests opposing retirement "reform." The government is cutting 11,200 education jobs.

But without revolutionary communist leadership, the May actions will likely be sold out. An April 10 agreement with the bosses on union representation will prevent small unions from blocking sweetheart contracts, making the CGT the key union player. It will use this position to sell out workers the way it sold out last November’s rail strike (see CHALLENGE 12/12/07). The right-wing French parliament will certainly ratify the agreement.

A recent poll shows unfortunately that 64% of the workers here still trust the union hacks to defend their interests. It’s up to communists to turn the disappointment that these labor fakers will inevitably generate into revolutionary anger and organizing.