November 5 strike and protests in Franche-Comté cities, Digi Mart USA News (Franche-Comté, France): This Thursday, November 5, the intersyndicale is calling for a new day of mobilization across France. From the Doubs to the Jura, the question is where the rallies in Besançon, Dole and Belfort will take place.
The protest was announced in early October by an intersyndicale including the CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa and FSU, under the banner of wages, public services, employment and industry. It follows a public-sector strike on September 29, then the October 17 mobilization, which was marked by damage and looting in several major French cities, including Besançon.
The demonstrations on Saturdays October 24 and 31 were calmer.
On Monday, November 2, CGT general secretary Sophie Binet told France 2 that “November 5 must be a great day of convergence.” According to the CGT’s count, more than 200 demonstrations are planned across France, and Binet expects strong turnout.
The intersyndicale will not be the only group marching. Students, through L’Union étudiante, have called for blockades of high schools and universities on Thursday, and high school students are expected to join the processions.
In Besançon, the main city of Franche-Comté, around 4,500 people marched on Saturday, October 31, outside the city center perimeter. Organizers’ turnout expectations for Thursday have not been specified in the source.
The unions’ demands are wide-ranging, covering wages, employment, purchasing power, public services and industry. The CGT argues that fuel, food, rent, gas and electricity costs are rising while wages and pensions are not, and that job cuts are multiplying in industry, retail and services.
It also criticizes the government’s budget preparations, citing a freeze on social benefits, cuts to public services and a freeze on civil servants’ salaries.
Rally locations are subject to change, according to the CGT Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Rail travelers should note that TGV Inoui and Lyria trains serving Bourgogne-Franche-Comté stations are expected to run normally on Thursday.
Bus and tram services may be disrupted depending on the mobilization, and riders should check local network updates.
