Speak Out Socialists received this announcement from our comrades, the New Anticapitalist Party-Revolutionaries (NPA-R) in France. Translated from French.
In 2014, dozens of postal workers in the Hauts-de-Seine department (just outside Paris) went on strike for 170 days. Their protest was a response to worsening working conditions, rising job insecurity, and a series of “reorganizations” at La Poste (the French postal service) that undermined a quality mail delivery.
For weeks, La Poste refused to negotiate. But thanks to the determination of the strikers, the company was eventually forced to make concessions—permanent contracts were offered to temporary workers, and the planned reorganizations were postponed.
Now, more than a decade later, five union activists from that strike—Gaël, Yann, Mohamed, Dalila, and Brahim—are facing trial. They each risk five years in prison and a €75,000 fine. Their alleged crime? Visiting La Poste’s national headquarters twice during the strike to demand negotiations.
In this trial, La Poste hasn’t mentioned once the word “strike” or “negotiation”. Instead, the company is accusing them of “trespassing on company property” and even “violence.” If this charge of “violating professional premises” is upheld, it would set a dangerous precedent—not just for postal workers, but for all labor activists in France. Visiting your own company’s headquarters to advocate for workers’ rights is not a crime. Striking is not a crime. Defending your colleagues should not lead to prison.
The accusation of “violence” is baseless. In fact, when the strikers tried to enter the national headquarters to demand dialogue, the company physically barred them—locking the doors and using security guards to block entry. That’s why few expected this case to resurface over a decade later—especially since a formal agreement ending the strike was signed in July 2014 between La Poste management and the workers.
So why is this case being revived now? The answer lies in union politics. When France’s Social and Economic Committees (CSEs) were introduced at La Poste—a new system for workplace representation—the case was suddenly reopened. Management at La Poste appears deeply uncomfortable with the continued influence of union activists like Yann and Gaël, who remained active among their colleagues even after both being fired. They’ve been particularly vocal in opposing new “reorganizations” that are slashing jobs and degrading both working conditions and public service.
La Poste hasn’t let go of its grudge. But our resolve is just as strong. That’s why we’re calling on everyone to join us on June 12, at noon, at the Paris Courthouse.
Among the five activists on trial is Yann Le Merrer, fired in 2015. He became the first French civil servant to be dismissed since the 1950s—targeted for nothing more than visiting postal centers and speaking with coworkers. In other words: for union activity. Gaël Quirante was dismissed in 2018, after then–Labor Minister Muriel Pénicaud personally authorized his firing—despite opposition from the Labor Inspector, a counter-investigation report, and even her conservative predecessor, Xavier Bertrand (not known for pro-union sympathies). Though dismissed, Gaël continued his union work in post offices across the region, which was ensured by a 15-month strike led by his fellow workers in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
Gaël’s case is now under review by the European Court of Human Rights. This gives us a new opportunity to demand justice—not just for Gaël and Yann, but for every worker fired for standing up for their rights. Their struggle is our struggle. On June 12, let’s show our support and push back against repression from both employers and the state. Let’s turn the tide—from suffering to solidarity.
Sign and get others to do the same! Stand with the postal workers of Hauts-de-Seine (92)
Download the flyer here:
https://speakoutsocialists.org/wp-content/uploads/Appeal-for-support-of-the-postal-workers-6.25.pdf
