September strikes: Police and energy sector workers protest in Paris 

Police officers and energy sector workers are among those mobilising in Paris today, September 15, with further strikes expected to cause disruption across France throughout the rest of the month. 

The mobilisation comes ahead of further industrial action later this month, including a nationwide public-sector strike on September 29 involving unions such as the CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires and CFE-CGC.

Train workers have also been called to strike on September 29.

In fact, the whole month of September is expected to see industrial action, with strikes and protest notices affecting transport, aviation, healthcare, firefighters, public services and the energy sector at different points throughout the month.

What is happening on September 15?

Several groups are mobilising in Paris on Tuesday, September 15, although the action varies between strikes and demonstrations.

Police union Alliance Police nationale called for a demonstration on the Champs-Elysées at 11:30, with demands including better salaries and career progression, and improved working conditions and security. The union is specifically asking for an increase in the police risk allowance, which has not been raised since 2019.

Energy sector workers are also expected to strike over plans to review the preferential energy tariff available to employees and retirees of historic electricity and gas operators. The so-called “tarif agent” is a long-standing part of their employment package and concerns around 140,000 current employees and nearly 160,000 retirees.

Staff in higher education and research are also due to demonstrate in Paris, protesting what unions describe as chronic underfunding, worsening working and study conditions and staffing shortages.

Later in the day, a coalition including firefighters' and nurses' unions, students and environmental and civil society organisations is calling for a demonstration outside the Economy Ministry. The groups are demanding additional resources to deal with the effects of climate change.

Meanwhile, further climate-related demonstrations are planned across France on September 26.

Train workers to strike 

A few days later, on September 29, a day of mass mobilisation will see train workers join the public sector strike, with SUD-Rail citing concerns over pay, staffing and deteriorating working conditions. The union said it wants to put pressure on SNCF to reopen negotiations, including over salaries, employment, training and reorganisations.

SUD-Rail said workers had faced a particularly difficult summer, with working conditions further affected by periods of extreme heat and heatwaves.

The union also pointed to SNCF Group's reported €1.2bn profit for the first half of the year, contrasting this with what it says was a general salary increase of just 0.18% for railway workers.

Regarding public services, CGT (Confédération générale du travail) Secretary General Sophie Binet renewed the call during an interview on France 2 on September 1, describing September 29 as the ‘point d’orgue - the culmination’ of September’s planned mobilisations.

“I call on all the public-sector workers listening to me to go on strike,” she said, and added that the aim was to show those who criticise civil servants “what a black day without public services” looks like.

Why is the CGT calling a strike?

The CGT said public-sector workers are facing falling purchasing power, staff shortages and worsening working conditions.

In its June 25 statement, the union said: “The purchasing power of civil servants and contract workers is collapsing.” It blamed this on years without an increase in the public-sector pay index, as well as changes to sick-pay rules.

Ms Binet also criticised plans to make further savings on sick leave, including measures that could reduce payments to workers who are off sick.

“We have to stop this persecution of sick people,” she said on September 1, arguing that rising sick leave should be tackled by looking at working conditions.

She said “one worker in two shows signs of psychological distress at work” and that one in three workers says they are close to burnout.

With the government preparing its 2027 budget, Ms Binet also called for action to prevent what she described as “a regressive budget” for workers.

How could September 29 affect you?

The exact impact will depend on how many workers take part and which services are affected.

Schools and nurseries could face disruption if teachers and other staff strike, while local authority services such as canteens, leisure facilities and some childcare services may also be affected. 

Some government offices, including tax offices and advice centres, could operate with reduced staff or close for the day.

Train services could also be affected following SUD-Rail's call for railway workers to strike. However, it is not yet clear how many workers will participate or what level of disruption there will be to SNCF services.

The exact level of disruption is not yet known and will depend on how many workers take part. If possible, avoid making appointments with public services on September 29. If you already have one scheduled, check closer to the date that it is still going ahead.