CGT union says it will stage strike during Paris Olympics

French public sector workers will strike during the Paris Olympics this summer, the powerful CGT union has warned, adding it would file formal strike notices next month.

French CGT trade union General Secretary Sophie Binet addresses a speech during a demonstration for the defence of immigrants on 11 December, 2023. AFP - ALAIN JOCARD

The CGT union on Thursday said it intended to file strike notices in the French public services at the beginning of April for the period covering the Paris Olympics, from 26 July to 11 August.

"Our warnings must finally be heard," CGT chief Sophie Binet told broadcaster FranceInfo, saying vital questions such as overtime work, lodging and childcare facilities had not been addressed.

The strike notice would cover people working in central and local government, as well as medical and social workers.

Social conditions

"Hundreds of thousands of workers will be battered by the Games," Binet said, including with overtime and restrictions on taking time off.

"We're asking what will the conditions of this work be, how will all the workers who have to come to the Paris region for the Olympics be housed?" she added.

"How will their children be taken care of when it's the school holidays at the same time? What bonuses will they get? So far nothing has been sorted out on this side."

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The CGT trade unionist also sounded the alarm about the situation of hospitals in the Île-de-France region. 

"We are told that there will be an influx of millions of visitors to Paris, and there are no additional resources for hospitals in the Paris region," Binet said. 

"We are very, very worried", she added.

‘Social truce’

Binet has demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to discuss the issue.

Only a few public sector workers have been told what support they will get during the Games, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin saying police working in the Paris region will get a bonus of up to €1,900.

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Talks have started in other fields on compensating overtime and missed holidays, including for hospital and transport workers.

Last week Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete said he was "absolutely not" worried about the possibility of a public transport strike during the Paris Olympics, despite a notice already given by Paris transport company RATP for this period.

As for the Paris Olympics organising committee chief Tony Estanguet, he called for a "social truce" without strikes.

(with AFP)