French public sector unions in first united strike in 10 years

French public sector unions in first united strike in 10 years
By Robert Hackwill
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For the first time in 10 years all of France's public sector unions have brought their members out on strike.

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For the first time in a decade every single civil service union in France has called on its members to strike this Tuesday.

The strike is expected to mobilise many of the more than five million civil servants in schools, creches, emergency services and transport operators.

The strikes are to protest against a proposed public sector wages freeze and job cuts that the government wants to impose across the board. In some cases even a minimum service may not be guaranteed.

President Emmanuel Macron is forcing labour law reforms through parliament by executive order, a method reducing parliament’s role in lawmaking, which many organisations, political parties and pressure groups have criticised.

More than 130 demonstrations are expected nationwide, representing some 20% of the national workforce. A Harris poll says the strike has 57% support among the French public.

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