Famous French strikes in history

FRANCE tends to have more strikes than other developed countries, according to a 2008 study by financial journal Alternatives Economiques.

They added that, while there were fewer days off work through strikes than in the 1970s, there had been a steady increase for 15 years. Famous French strikes of history include:

1936 A wave of strikes in commerce and industry, involving street marches and occupation of factories by workers, hits France, with about two million involved. It coincides with the election of the Socialist Front Populaire government and reflects workers’ impatience for new rights.

May 1968 saw France's largest-ever general strike, as workers demanded better pay and conditions. This was one of two major strands to the “events” of that year, the other being student protests.

1995 Strikes, mainly in the public sector, against the Plan Juppé social security reforms.

2003 Opposition to the Plan Fillon pensions reform, including plans to raise contribution periods.

Recent large French strikes have included teachers and sixth-form and university students, relating to educational reforms and teacher cuts, and train workers, over pay, working conditions and restructuring in the SNCF.

As in 2003, planned pension reforms are the catalyst, with the last major strike having taken place on June 24.