Three strikes called for May

May will see three strike and demonstration days because of Government pensions policies, low pay and layoffs in the civil service.

On Thursday May 15, five civil service unions will demonstrate against job cuts.

On Sunday May 18 lycée teachers and students will take to the streets to protest against high class sizes, a lack of teachers and low pay.

The following week, on Thursday May 22, unions have called for a strike across the board to because of government pensions policy.

According to the unions, more than 200,000 took to the streets on the traditional May Day demonstrations last week.

The strikes and protests overshadow President Nicolas Sarkozy’s struggle to regain approval ratings, which have fallen to an all-time low since her was elected in May last year.

His ratings dipped further after he appeared on television on April 24 to justify his actions during his first year in office.

Gérard Aschieri, of the FSU teachers’ union, said: “Rejection of government policy is getting stronger and stronger – and the opinion polls reflect this.