Fonctionnaires on strike over pay

CIVIL servants are striking today in a bid to make the government improve their pay.

Around 120 street protests are planned by the three unions involved – CGT, FSU and Solidaires - which will represent the first major protest by fonctionnaires under President Hollande. Among those concerned are teachers, with one in three primary teachers expected to be off work today.

“We’ve seen no definite sign that things are going to improve,” said Denis Turbet-Delof of Solidaires, quoted in Le Figaro. “Everyone wanted a change. We’ve waited a long time. Now maybe it’s time to think about the civil servants a little.”

The unions involved, representing 40% of civil servants, want to exert pressure on Civil Service Minister Marylise Lebranchu in the run-up to a negotiation on salaries on February 7.

She has admitted it is “logical” that some civil servants are “disappointed”, but has stressed the difficult state of public finances.

The main complaint of the unions relates to the “index point” used as the basis of calculating salaries, which has been frozen for three years.

Raising it by a point would cost €800million if applied just to central government workers or €1.8billion if applied to all fonctionnaires including, eg. local authority workers and people working in social security.

The unions also want abolition of the jour de carence for sick leave, dating from the start of last year, which means civil servants get no social security compensation for the first day off work. This compares to three in the private sector, however many firms make up for this.

“Even if everyone is well-aware of the economic context, everyone thinks the government should be capable of making a gesture,” said FSU general secretary Bernadette Groison.

At present the main concession mentioned has been “a new system of bonuses” to replace the unpopular performance-based scheme brought in under the last government.

Photo: Tendencies