Five things about... strikes in France
The lowdown on industrial disputes – tradition and terminology
Strikes are part of the national psyche
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Le préavis
Although French workers' right to strike is enshrined in law, they cannot just down tools and walk out. Strikes have to be announced in advance via a prèavis de grève.
The resulting re-arrangements and cancellations can cause chaos however, even if strikers eventually call off the proposed industrial action. C'est comme ça!
Le salaire
Strikers are not paid for the days they do not work as part of strike action, unless they negotiate payment for strike days as part of the conditions for ending the strike, or unless they maintain a minimum service, or their union has the money to give them strike pay. C'est normal!
Le calendrier
Workers rarely strike during la belle saison (July and August) or les fêtes (Christmas and New Year).
Strikes tend to be timed to cause maximum embarrassment, just when Emmanuel Macron is hosting King Charles and Queen Camilla, holding the Olympic Games, or trying to win an election, for example. C'est le moment!
Le soutien public
Strikes can be deadly serious, with heavily defended pickets facing off against riot police. But many others have a carnival atmosphere.
Strikes are generally regarded as a good thing, however, even if they are unjustified or unlikely to be successful, because at least they constitute a shot over the bows of l'Elysée. Bien joué!
La prévision
Strikes can often be predicted by watching grass-roots movements develop. Complaints about tax rises on diesel and heating fuel swamped online forums for months before the gilets jaunes brought France to a standstill.
Village signposts were being turned upside down by disgruntled agriculteurs for months before the farmers' strikes erupted. Ecoute bien!
