About thirty students mobilized day and night, an occupation and blockade of the premises, classic demands (no to the CPE, no to precarity) and yet the strike at the Saint Jean d’Angély university campus differs from others, far from the usual clichés of student movements. Their names are Aurélien, Sarah, Lara… They are among the leaders of the anti-CPE movement on the psychology campus. “We are neither politicized nor unionized. We are against the CPE and we have set up a structure to manage the movement at the psychology faculty. The beginnings were a bit laborious but we managed to organize ourselves better with three committees: communication, reflection, action,” explains Sarah, coordinator of the movement. She speaks in measured tones about respect, pedagogy, understanding and listening. The faculty is blocked certainly but students will not be penalized. The blockade is supported by professors who voted a motion specifying that exams will not cover courses not attended. The dean allows the use of photocopiers to distribute leaflets.
Since Monday’s General Assembly, the hard core has been sleeping in an amphitheater. Sleeping bags and bedrolls, and good-natured mood: the students are living communally in a camping atmosphere. But this shared time together allowed them to prepare Wednesday’s general assembly, to reflect on actions to take and to create new banners. Extensive work understanding the CPE was done, the law text analyzed in detail, government interventions examined. A leaflet was created where the specificities of the CPE, fixed-term contract and permanent contract appear, in a neutral manner and based on labor law. The concern to be irreproachable, to make no propaganda and to let students choose freely without influence. In front of Amphitheater I, headquarters of the “blockers,” a panel summarizes all their ideas and reflections.
A union not syndical but fraternal was born. “We occupy but we respect the premises,” clarifies Sarah. A scene to prove it: it’s 12:30. After finalizing the last details of the general assembly, it’s time for major cleaning. Armed with brooms and energetic determination, the strikers clean. Care is taken of the living space. A note recommends: “If you eat here, pick up your crumbs.”
It’s a refreshing strike. It seems authentic without union stickers, without political propaganda leaflets and an open-mindedness to civic values. “There are opponents to the blockade. We understand that. We reassure academics who fear for their diplomas. We get criticized on student forums but we remain open to dialogue and exchange of ideas,” clarifies Sarah diplomatically. The movement is not radical. Medical and dental students on the same university campus can continue to attend classes.
Opposite to images of violence and confrontations fueled by provocations of all kinds from vandals but also uncontrollable students, at Saint-Jean d’Angély everything is calm, peaceful, serene and thoughtful. The demands are nonetheless identical.
2 p.m. approaches. The General Assembly will decide if the blockade will continue. It is also a vote of confidence for the thirty strikers. For 48 hours they have been doing their best to ensure their methods of protest are effective and appreciated.
The GA takes place calmly. The amphitheater is three-quarters full. Speeches are not interrupted. Speakers are listened to even opponents are, without vehemence or jeers. New anti-CPE arguments emerge. “It’s a question of human dignity. The question is not: are bosses jerks or not. The question is: are we going to allow a law that opens a breach in respect for human dignity.” Léa is applauded. Same speech from Olivier: “employees who will suffer this contract, I compare them to horses being led to the slaughterhouse. I’m over 26 but I totally support the movement.”
The long-awaited moment of voting arrives. Student IDs raised, votes counted. The blockade continues: 280 for and 71 against. Mobilization continues at Saint Jean d’Angély. It rewards the work done since the beginning of the movement by Aurélien, Sarah, Lara and the others… Simple unknowns who through their convictions and almost despite themselves have become leaders of a student movement.
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