French unions nationwide wage strike and protests, Digi Mart USA News (France): French unions are preparing a day of mobilization for wages on Thursday, a new milestone in a turbulent autumn of social unrest. More than 250 rallies are planned across France, according to a map published by the CGT, though some protest routes have become the subject of disputes with authorities.
The day was announced in early October and is expected to bring together private and public sector employees, retirees, and high school and university students who have been mobilized for weeks. Authorities expect 500,000 to 700,000 people outside Paris and 40,000 to 80,000 in the capital, more than the 550,000 counted by the Interior Ministry on October 17.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said the government is “extremely vigilant,” saying it is out of the question to relive the violence and looting that occurred on the sidelines of marches in several cities on October 17. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez asked prefects and security officials on Tuesday to prepare “robust arrangements” for what he called a “sensitive” day, according to a telegram seen by AFP, which recommends checks ahead of gatherings to “limit the movement of high-risk profiles.”
In Paris, less than 24 hours before the march was set to begin, the police prefecture banned the route between the Bastille and Concorde squares sought by the unions and substituted a route between République and Nation. The union coalition has challenged the decision before the administrative court.
The heads of the CGT and CFDT criticized the organization of the demonstrations, complaining of marches often far from city centers and late decisions that complicate security planning. According to Sophie Binet of the CGT, 20 departments are affected by route restrictions.
The national rail operator SNCF expects “disrupted” traffic on most regional and Île-de-France lines on Thursday and “slightly disrupted” service on TGV high-speed trains. The Ministry of National Education projects about 17% of primary school teachers will strike.
The day follows three consecutive Saturdays of mobilization against the high cost of living, which echoed the tactics of the yellow vest movement and was backed only by some unions. On Thursday, all the main workers’ organizations, including the supervisors’ union CFE-CGC, which had initially been more reserved, are joining in.
Dissatisfied with the government’s initial responses, high school and university students are expected to swell the marches after resuming blockades early this week, upon their return from vacation. The yellow vest coordination, which has played a central role in organizing demonstrations since October 17, will take part in Thursday’s strike and blockades.
Ahead of the day, the government highlighted lower diesel prices at 6,000 of France’s 10,000 service stations following the release of strategic fuel stocks. It also suggested it could take action on the minimum wage (SMIC), while union demands center on wages amid inflation of 3.4%.
Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou mentioned possible measures concerning the SMIC or negotiations within industry sectors and companies. The CGT is calling for a 10% increase in the SMIC, and the CFDT, traditionally reluctant to push for across-the-board increases for fear of compressing wage scales, is calling for an increase of 100 euros net.
The freeze on civil servants’ index point is also fueling union anger, as is the maintenance of business aid in sectors whose minimum wages are below the SMIC.
The Solidaires union calls for the strike to continue beyond November 5, and the yellow vest coordination intends to maintain pressure until Saturday, the announced date of the “Act IV” of the movement. That day, the coordination calls for a rally at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
“We will go no matter what, even if banned,” said coordination member Benjamin Ball. Housing rights unions and associations from seven countries, including France, Spain, Belgium and Italy, have also called for “coordinated demonstrations” against the high cost of living at the end of November.
