Entrance to a Paris metro station, October 2020. LEWIS JOLY/AP
As the Assemblée Nationale takes up the Social Security budget this week, three major unions – the CGT, FSU and Solidaires – have called for a nationwide day of protests and strikes for Tuesday, December 2, aimed at pressuring the government “against austerity and for higher wages.” Organizers have planned around 150 rallies across France. In Paris, a protest is set to begin at 2 pm from Place de la Bourse.
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The walkout is not expected to significantly disrupt transportation, according to traffic forecasts published by Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot on Monday, December 1. One of the CGT’s core demands is wage increases, under the slogan “there is plenty of money!”
The national rail service will see “normal” TGV high-speed train traffic, though “local disruptions” are expected to significantly disrupt transportation, according to traffic forecasts published by Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot on Monday, December 1. One of the CGT’s core demands is wage increas, under the slogan “there is plenty of money!”
National rail service will see “normal” TGV high-speed train traffic, though “local disruptions” are expected on some Intercités long-distance routes, certain regional TER services – particularly in the southern Occitanie region – and on the RER C line in the Paris region, according to the minister. SNCF, the national railway company, advised RER C users to “check their routes, connections and schedules before traveling.” The company’s press office announced that “nine out of 10 trains” would be running.
In the Paris region, the RATP company’s y, bus, tram and RER are services operated by the RATP company is expected to run normally. On the roads, the strike wed” by staff is expected to run normally. On the roads, the strike as of Monday afternoon.
In the Paris region, subway, bus, tram and RER commuter rail service operated by the RATP transit authority is expected to run normally. On the roads, the strike is expected to be “lightly followed” by staff of the interdepartmental road directorates and should have “no impact for drivers,” the ministry added.
Nationwide teacher and public sector strikes expected
All levels of education are being called on to join the protests, which could lead to classroom closures. France’s largest primary school teachers’ union, FSU-SNUipp, is demanding “a real budget for schools” and denouncing the planned elimination of 4,000 positions in the 2026 budget. Other grievances include “frozen salaries, deteriorating working conditions, long hours, professional burnout, hierarchical pressures, pension reforms and insufficient resources.”
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In secondary education, the SNES-FSU, the main union federation for high school teachers, is calling not only for the reversal of job cuts but also to “revisit pay and career issues.” The union also highlights the precarious situation of temporary teachers and the lack of official status for staff supporting students with disabilities (AESH).
Public services could see disruptions
The CGT Federation of Public Services, which is protesting 3,000 planned job cuts in the upcoming budget, filed a strike notice that could partially or fully close administrative services such as town halls, prefectures, tax offices, employement agencies and family allowance offices.
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In the health sector, the CGT Federation for Health and Social Action argues that “hospital budgets are insufficient to fulfill public service duties” and is demanding a 10% general wage increase. Only non-urgent services are expected to be affected, due to legal obligations to maintain continuity of care.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.