FRANCE: FROM STUDENT PROTEST TO NATIONWIDE GENERAL LABOR UNION STRIKE
Written by Michael Thervil
[FRANCE STUDENT GENERAL LABOR UNION STRIKE] With what started off on October 17, as a Gen Z student protest has now morphed into a full blown collective general strike and riot throughout the streets in France. To date since the start of the protest, there have been over 70,000 French police deployed which has made an additional 448 arrests to the already 1,000’s arrested on charges that range from assault, destruction of property, and attempted murder. Across France, it’s been reported that over 200 mass protests and demonstrations are occurring consisting of an estimated 1.6 million people actively participating in the protest and demonstrations. The French interior minister disputes this number stating that there are an estimated 600,000 active protestors and demonstrators. While carnage has ensued, witnesses of the protest have described the countrywide protest as somewhat peaceful, despite the violence.
The additional strike that’s augmenting the student-led protest is spearheaded by a trade union conglomerate operating under the name of L’intersyndicale. L’intersyndicale, who is considered to be a “Hard-Left Labor Union” provides representation for the CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, FSU, and Solidaire currently represents transportation, education, healthcare workers, plumbers, electricians, masons and bricklayers, rail workers, postal service, workers, painters, roofers, HVAC, welder’s, boilermakers, mechanics, and mechanical trade sectors. It appears that what started off as a student-led protest can now be considered a “Blue-Collar Protest”. Labor union members have joined the student led protest to demand wage increases and tax reform within France.
French firefighters have responded to an estimated 86 fires while French police were forced to deploy the continued use of water cannons and tear gas to control demonstrators and deter violent dissidents operating under the guise of anonymity amongst demonstrators and protestors. To date, 53 police officers have been injured in the line of duty. There have been 81 high schools that have been used as active blockades constructed by protestors. It was also reported that at least 16% of teachers have joined the general strike causing roughly 1,000 schools to be closed. While President Macron has yet to make another public statement, prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has been scheduled to meet with multiple trade unions on Monday. While the term “Protest” can currently be used to describe what's happening throughout France, it now appears that the next word to be used to describe what happening in France is “Social Movement”.
The question of the day seems to be “Why did it take students to band together in protest to address both the need for wage increases, better living conditions, better healthcare conditions, and a better educational system before the adults did in France?”
Comments