Lower turnout for second day of strikes in France but anger remains

Up to 250 demonstrations and marches are set to take place across France today, after unions called for a new round of strike action last week.

It is the second day of official action called by the intersyndicale, France’s eight main unions, and follows strikes on September 18. Some - but not all unions - backed the citizen-led movement ‘Bloquons tout’ on September 10.

The Interior Ministry estimates up to 350,000 people will take part in demonstrations today.

Early demonstrations this morning saw factories in the north of France, including for vehicle manufacturer Stellantis and Michelin, blocked by protestors.

This figure is lower than the ministry’s estimate of 500,000 protestors on September 18 - but it is deploying around the same number of police officers - around 70,000 - across the country in a bid to quell any disorder. 

As of midday, Interior Ministry figures estimate around 85,000 people had joined protests in cities holding morning events, compared to 200,000 at the same time on September 18.

Police will deploy drones at larger demonstrations, including in Paris, as part of security measures. Authorities in the capital are also on alert over potential power cuts to symbolic institutions by workers in the energy sector.

Law enforcement has also warned of the presence of ‘black bloc’ radicals at protests in major cities, who arrive and advance at the head of official columns and look to cause disorder and engage police officers. They are not associated with the official union cortèges. 

Unions called for the strikes following a failed meeting with new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu last week. They describe the strikes on September 18 as ‘successful’.

They are seeking a repeal of the 2023 pension reforms and the associated increase in retirement age to 64 for many workers, a new provisional budget for 2026, and pay and working condition improvements across several sectors.

However, Mr Lecornu is reportedly considering several changes to the 2026 budget, including tax reductions for couples on the minimum wage, and a return to previous rules that saw taxes and social charges on overtime cancelled.

He is also reportedly looking to improve retirement options for women in the workforce.

Disruption to transport, schools

Disruption to regional train services (TER, Transilien) and to some Intercités routes are forecast, but TGV lines should run as normal, said state rail operator SNCF yesterday. 

Local public transport networks may be disrupted, especially overground services such as buses and trams that are along routes of city demonstrations. It is recommended to check local websites for live updates.

Delays are likely at airports but cancellations are unlikely, with the French Civil Aviation Authority only calling on Paris Beauvais to suspend flights (around 30% of those scheduled today) due to the strikes.

Elsewhere, walkouts by teachers and potential blockades of lycées and universities are expected, with some schools set to close. 

Around 10% of teachers at primary schools are expected to strike according to teacher unions. However, across all levels, less than 7% of teachers are striking today, according to the Education Ministry.

Strike motions covering several other sectors including postal workers, healthcare providers, bank workers, and public sector workers.

Turnout is expected to be lower than on September 18 for several reasons, including concerns over wage-losses from the walkout and a lack of conviction that the strikes will be effective due to low overall turnout in certain sectors.