Union

France’s CGT elects female leader, a first in union’s 128-year history

Sophie Binet became the surprise choice to lead one of France’s best-known unions

What to expect from tomorrow’s protests in France

We look ahead to the fourth day of mobilisation against pension reforms. The prime minister says a lot of opposition is due to people being unhappy in their work

French rail strike: unions lift their New Year’s weekend strike notice

This means there should be no action taken next weekend, but this weekend’s strike will still continue

French healthcare union calls for strike against mandatory vaccination

We are ‘not anti-vaxx but pro-free choice’, the union says. It comes as a survey of 1,000 people in France showed 40% support the anti-health pass protests

Covid France: Social distancing tags spark worker row

The boxes being discussed by hygiene company Essity emit a loud noise or vibration if staff get too close to each other

France strike 'will have limited effect'

Transport Minister insists 'inter-professional day of action' planned for Thursday will have little effect on services

Binman suicide after sacked for drinking beer gift

Update: Statement issued by collection firm Coved on June 12

Ryanair demands French staff take pay cuts

Airline accused of 'blackmail' after it called for unions to agree pay cuts to avoid redundancies

French national parks may start charging entry fees

Visitors to national parks in France may soon need to pay to enter, some specialists have said, in a “completely taboo” suggestion prompted by what some see as a lack of funding.

How to beat the unions

Four years ago I worked in Reims, a 20 minutes bus ride or an hour on foot from home.

Crucial week in France's pension reform protests

Another day of mass protests planned for France, the day the draft bill is to be presented to the Council of Ministers

Where pension protest marches are taking place today

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is due to outline further details of the reforms on Wednesday

More travel misery in France as pension strikes go on

Rail and public transport services badly hit on Monday ahead of another day of mass protest on Tuesday

Why the French must embrace pension reforms

Driverless cars are just one aspect of an AI-disrupted future that means that unions can no longer stand in the way of much-needed changes to France's over-complicated pension system, writes political commentator and historian Simon Heffer in his latest column for Connexion

Gilets jaunes anniversary sparks unrest in France

More than 28,000 people came out to march across France this weekend to mark the first anniversary of the gilets jaunes movement, with the event marred by violence and unrest in some areas.

France's firefighters win retirement age concession

Members of emergency service will be able to retire at 57 despite government's planned pension and retirement reforms

French trains disrupted in surprise ‘social movement’

Train services across France are being disrupted today as SNCF staff take part in a surprise “social movement”, in protest over alleged safety concerns following an accident this week.

French giant Carrefour presents ‘transformation’ plans

French supermarket giant Carrefour has launched a new “transformation” plan to revitalise declining hypermarkets in France.

French flights may be affected by Ryanair pilot strike

UK-based pilots of the low-cost airline Ryanair have voted for strike action in August and September, with some flights to and from France at risk of being affected by delays or cancellations.

Controversy over automatic tills in French hypermarché

A French supermarket that is set to use only automatic cashier tills on Sunday afternoons is causing controversy, and been accused of ushering in a “dehumanised society”.

Air France to cut some domestic routes and 400+ jobs

Airline Air France is to remove certain routes - particularly domestic lines - and cut more than 400 ground staff jobs in a bid to save money, it has confirmed.

Police prep Paris for May 1 amid gilets jaunes threat

An “exceptional number” of 7,400 police and gendarmerie have been stationed in Paris in anticipation of today’s May 1 protest marches, in context of the radicalised gilets jaunes and "black bloc" movement.

French union condemns underground pollution levels

The amount of underground pollution in Métro stations and underground transport networks is dangerous for train workers’ health, French union La CFDT has claimed.

CGT strike disrupts Paris attractions and schools

A general strike is taking place in Paris today (Tuesday February 5), affecting some tourist sites and local schools, after union CGT called for a march for buying power and a fairer taxation system.

French town preps for major protest as tensions mount

The mayor of Valence (Drôme) is preparing for up to 10,000 gilet jaunes protesters this weekend, after a visit by President Macron and the firing of a local Amazon worker heightened tensions in the area.

French government raises police pay after union talks

The French government has agreed to raise police salaries after successful negotiations between interior minister Christophe Castaner, and unions Alliance Police, Unité-SGP, Police-FO and Unsa.

Élysée fears return of violence in Paris this weekend

This Saturday (December 8) could see the return of serious violence in Paris by those determined to “smash”, the Élysée has said, as public support for the genuine Gilets Jaunes protests remains high.

Truckers and students add to government protest woes

Two unions call on lorry drivers to walkout on an indefinite strike from Sunday evening, while students protest against education reforms

French job agency panned for TV-type interview contest

French employment agency Pôle Emploi has been criticised after footage emerged of it asking job-seekers to take part in a reality TV-style contest instead of traditional job interviews.

Update: Air France proposes new pay agreement

Air France management this week presented a new proposal for a 4% pay rise for workers, demanding signatures from unions by the end of today (Friday October 19), after four months of apparent stalemate.

New €3.3m Air France CEO already provoking debate

The new CEO of Air France, Canadian Benjamin Smith, is causing distress and opposition among unions even before he steps into the role, not only for his €3.3m salary, but also for his nationality.

Train strike continues as French unions stand firm

Train strikes are set to continue into July and August, as unions stand firm and a strike timetable is running today (Friday July 6), ahead of the first weekend of the school summer holidays.

Rail strikes in France to hit holiday weekend

Support for strike action falling to below 10%

All but one unions call off Air France strike notice

All but one workers’ union at Air France has lifted their notice to strike from June 23 to 26, pending the arrival of the company’s new CEO in July.

Union: France train strikes ‘to continue into July’

Train union CGT Cheminots has announced that its strike will continue into the month of July, even as the Senate recently voted to adopt the controversial railway reforms.

Police wear pyjamas in bed to protest work conditions

Police officers have taken to the streets to protest against their working conditions and lack of a private life - wearing pyjamas, night caps, and lying on a bed.

Public sector worker strike causes industry chaos

Schools, crèches, trains, flights, healthcare, the police, the postal service, electricity services and even the weather industry are being affected in the vast public sector strike including up to 5.7 million workers today (Tuesday May 22).

Rail unions call court battle with SNCF on lost pay

Company takes hard line and refuses to pay for rest days

Two-thirds back SNCF reforms: survey

Less than a month before the first of a planned 36 days of strikes across three months, an online poll delivers a blow for unions as it reveals widespread support for planned overhaul of debt-laden rail operator

Castorama admits ‘clumsy’ to ask French to train Poles

Home DIY and garden company Castorama has been forced to backtrack after admitting it was “clumsy” to ask soon-to-be-made-redundant French staff to train their Polish replacements.

Support dips for fourth strike against labour reforms

'Minor disruption' to planes, trains and public transport reported as unions protest against labour reforms ahead of ratification debate

Dip in support for labour reform protests

Public transport strike called for Friday

Up to 50,000 public transport workers are expected to join walkout after 127 strike notices posted in towns and cities across France

Blockade protests enter a second day

Some panic-buying of fuel reported in northern and north-western France on Monday

Blockades kick off lorry driver protests

Unions say HGV drivers will blockade fuel depots in protest at labour reforms

Macron signs labour reforms into law

Sweeping changes to France's complex code du travail will now be published in the Journal Officiel , with the first changes taking effect within 'a few days'