More than 170 demonstrations are planned for Tuesday, September 29, across France, called by eight public sector unions. Public workers are demanding pay raises and increased resources for public services, two days before the presentation of the 2027 budget proposal. Firefighters are also scheduled to march in Paris, while blockades of high schools are expected.
The unions want to have influence over the budget
The CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGC, and FA-FP unions are calling for strikes and rallies across the country. Their mobilization comes after the announcement in early September of a further freeze on the civil service pay index. The unions are demanding a salary increase and adequate funding to meet the needs of public services.
The marches in Arras, Pas-de-Calais, and Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, are scheduled to begin this morning. In Paris, the public sector workers’ rally is planned to start at 2 p.m., marching from Place de la République to Place de la Nation. The organizations hope to influence the government’s decisions before the budget presentation, scheduled for Thursday.
The CFDT also hopes that this day will send a message to the presidential candidates, according to its representative Laure Revel, who mentions a climate conducive to « civil servant bashing ».
The firefighters will have their own procession in Paris.
After a summer marked by numerous fires that kept them extremely busy, firefighters are expected to gather in the capital. Authorities anticipate between 5,000 and 10,000 participants. They will first march from Place d’Italie to the Bastille, before joining other public servants.
For the general march, authorities anticipate between 20,000 and 40,000 participants, excluding firefighters. The SNUipp-FSU, the main union for primary school teachers, estimates that 40% of teachers could be on strike.
Purchasing power at the heart of the demands
Unions are highlighting the erosion of civil servants’ purchasing power, which they link to inflation and the slow growth of the index point in recent years. Since 2017, this index point has been increased by 3.5% in 2022 and then by 1.5% in 2023. The source reports that cumulative inflation could reach 24.17% by the end of 2026, according to INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).
Disruptions on the SNCF and RATP networks are expected to be temporary. CFDT General Secretary Marylise Léon argued on Monday for the need for better working conditions to en the quality of public services.
High school blockades are also expected.
The mobilization of public sector workers is taking place alongside blockades of high schools, which began the previous week in schools in the Paris suburbs and then spread to other regions. Students are protesting, in particular, against overcrowded classrooms and timetables, as well as against teacher shortages.
Some gatherings were marred by vandalism or mortar fire. The continuation of the high school student movement, along with the firefighters’ march, is one of the authorities’ main concerns for today.
Source: France 24 – News & current events – Live international news (www.france24.com)
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Author: FRANCE 24
