Vol. 80/No. 23 June 13, 2016
Strikes in France protest labor ‘reform’ law
The Socialist Party government claims its draft law will give bosses more “flexibility” and reduce unemployment. For years, workers here have faced high unemployment — currently over 10 percent — as well as increased use of “temporary” contracts that the bosses use to divide workers and push down wages and working conditions. The proposed revision to the labor code would allow companies to impose changes in working hours and overtime pay, lengthen the 35-hour workweek and secure local agreements inferior to those set by industry-wide agreements that are supposed to apply to all workplaces, with or without a union presence.
The proposal sparked large protests this spring. As it became clear the bill was headed for defeat in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, President Francois Hollande decided May 10 to use a provision in the 1958 constitution to push it through without a vote.
In response, both the CGT and FO unions called for protest strikes. The leadership of the other major union, the CFDT, is supporting the government’s measures. Within days barricades set up by unionists, young people, truck drivers and others blocked access to oil storage depots. Workers struck at all eight oil refineries. The government said May 25 it was using supplies from its strategic reserves to restock gas stations that were running dry.
Port workers are blocking some of the largest ports, including Le Havre and Marseille. Workers at all 19 of the country’s nuclear power plants began a partial strike May 26. Airport and airline worker unions have called for a strike, as have the public transportation unions in Paris.
A public survey by the IFOP polling company May 26 reported 60 percent support for the strikes.
A May 26 national day of protest against the labor bill drew tens of thousands in Paris and other cities.
Marc Kinzel in Marseille and Jean Vilaca in Paris contributed to this article.