Social struggles in 2025: inspiring local victories against service closures and injustices
Popular mobilization against the clo of a train line, a flash strike against a far-right billionaire… Victorious struggles do exist and often go unnoticed. Although rare, they offer valuable lessons. In 2025, four examples illustrate how local initiatives can lead to significant successes.
What happened
Since the 1995 strikes against the Juppé plan, the landscape of social struggles in France has been marked by a certain gloom. Recent movements, such as the one against pension reform in 2023, have not achieved the desired results. Nevertheless, social victories continue to emerge at the local level, often unknown to the general public. In 2022, more than a third of companies with over 500 employees experienced strikes, reflecting a latent discontent expressed across various sectors.
The fight for the Morvan train line
On February 8, 2025, 250 demonstrators gathered at Clamecy train station in the Nièvre department, united in defense of their threatened train line. According to Mayor Nicolas Bourdoune, this line is essential for the survival of the region. A week later, nearly 400 people rallied in Avallon for the same cause. The line connects Deux-Rivières to Paris-Bercy in 2 hours and 30 minutes, facilitating access to medical services and local amenities.
The mobilization was structured around various actors: residents, local elected officials, unions, and user groups. On May 1st, the « Line to Defend » association organized a 376 km trail run between Corbigny and Bercy, attracting media attention and putting pres on the region. In September, Jérôme Durain, the new president of the region, announced an investment of 3.6 million euros to maintain the line, thus offering a respite to those defending the service.
Flash strike against Pierre-Edouard Stérin
On October 6, 2025, in Aix-en-Provence, eight freelance performing artists stage a flash strike against Pierre-Edouard Stérin, a far-right billionaire. They refuse to perform at a fundraising event. Despite their initial hesitation, their picket line attracts the support of 250 protesters outside, dissuading the organizers from intervening. The evening is transformed into a virtual event, revealing widespread opposition to Stérin and galvanizing the anti-Stérin movement nationwide.
The chambermaids of snes
It took nine months of struggle for the chambermaids at SNES to obtain permanent contracts. Their fight began after the dismissal of a colleague, Samia, who was informed of her dismissal interview while stranded abroad. Despite a minority strike, the strikers, supported by activists and a sub-prefect, broadened their demands to include full-time permanent contracts. Their determination finally paid off, although management refused to reinstate Samia.
The struggles at Geodis Gennevilliers
Workers at the Geodis logistics platform in Gennevilliers led three successful strikes between 2022 and 2025, securing pay raises and improved working conditions. Thanks to their strong teamwork, they maintained pres on their employer by distributing managers’ pay slips to raise awareness among their colleagues about pay inequality.
These struggles demonstrate that with collective mobilization, even the smallest actions can have significant repercussions, both locally and nationally. The examples of Morvan, Aix-en-Provence, SNES, and Geodis illustrate the resilience and determination of workers in the face of difficult situations.
Source: Power Relations (rapportsdeforce.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: Guillaume Bernard
