France is set to be hit by a wave of industrial action during September as transport and Public Service workers protest for better pay and working conditions.
The first of several expected strikes are likely to coincide with the reopening of State schools.
Authorities in Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Tours, Pau, Caen, Le Mans, and Toulon have warned the public that transport services will be disrupted.
Speaking on behalf of the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT) union, Romain Cusco told journalists that transport sector employees were overworked.
He said workers had been pressing for pay rises for almost six months, but managements had failed to give an adequate response, leaving them with no option but to strike.
The CGT is also pushing for employees of various city and regional authorities, housing and municipal services, and utility companies to hold strikes throughout September.
Mr Cusco said the protests aimed to bring about an “end to job cuts and closures of public services, the reopening of local public and social services … recruitment and opening of necessary positions and an increase of at least 10 per cent in the number of Public Servants”.
Among other things, the CGT is seeking a minimum monthly wage of €2,000 ($A2,946) and wants the Government to shelve the plan of President, Emmanuel Macron and Premier, Elisabeth Borne to raise the retirement age from 60 years to 64.
Paris, 3 September 2022
