The social climate is becoming tense again in France and strike threats are increasing in many sectors and companies.
Strike at Michelin following the announcement of the closure of two factories, day of mobilization announced on November 21 at the SNCF with the threat of new days in December, a month which could also be marked by a mobilization of the public service. Social movements are increasing at the end of the year, signals of a complicated economic situation. BFM Business takes stock.
• Aerial
The National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) decided to file a national strike notice for Thursday, November 14. In question, their opposition to the will of the government to triple the tax revenue solidarity on plane tickets (TSBA) in order to fill the state coffers. This increase would come into force on January 1 and would bring in one billion euros. The union demands the withdrawal of this amendment and calls on all pilots to mobilize, along with all employees in the airline sector.
• Farmers
Anger is still brewing among farmers. After a major conflict last spring, they fear being forgotten after the legislative elections and the change of government, while the previous executive had made a certain number of promises. Some farmers or regional organizations want tougher actions going as far as blockages.
The actions will begin on November 15 “across the country”. “Without a strong and immediate decision from the State, farmers will block French food freight,” we can read in a press release from CR47 (Rural Coordination of Lot-et-Garonne). This union was particularly virulent during the agricultural anger movement in January.
• SNCF
Contesting the new SNCF Freight model imposed by the European Commission and the opening to competition in particular on regional linesall the company's unions called a strike 24 hours on Thursday, November 21.
As usual, the consequences on traffic will be known 48 hours before the start of the movement.
More worrying, the CGT-Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail and the CFDT-Cheminots warn that this day of strike is “an ultimatum” before “a longer and stronger strike movement in December” if the government and the SNCF do not respond to their demands.
• Civil service
Two of the main civil servants' unions, FO and the CGT, called for “mobilization” and “strike” after the failure of a meeting with the Minister of the Civil Service Guillaume Kasbarian.
“We are going to take the minister's game at its word: three days of waiting time, three days of strike,” said Christian Grolier, general secretary of the UIAFP-FO, who wants to work with the inter-union “as broad as possible”. The mobilization could take place in early December.
The trade unionist refers to the minister's desire to align the number of waiting days for the public with the private sector in the event of sick leave.
• Medical biologists
Four unions representing medical biologists are threatening to close medical analysis laboratories from December 23 to 31.
They want to reopen negotiations on their prices with the National Health Insurance Fund.
• Businesses
Faced with various social plans or factory closures announced recently, various calls for strikes have been launched.
Michelin has announced the closure of two factories before 2026. The CGT has called a strike on all sites. For the moment, only employees at the Cholet factory have stopped work, but demonstrations are expected in Clermont-Ferrand, the birthplace of the tire manufacturer.
At Vencorex, a chemical company in receivership, the prospect of a very partial recovery (25 employees out of 465) caused an indefinite strike with blockage of the site.
Faced with these factory closures or social plans, the CGT is calling for “mobilization for employment” on December 12.
Olivier Chicheportiche Journalist BFM Business
