French Education Unions Call Nationwide Strike for November 10
- Education unions have called for a nationwide strike on November 10.
- The coalition includes major unions like CGT, FSU, and Force Ouvrière.
- Unions are boycotting the government's wage conference on November 9.
- Protesters are demanding salary increases and 15,000 new permanent jobs.
- Security forces have deployed 70,000 personnel for ongoing weekend protests.
An inter-union coalition, including the CGT, FSU, Force Ouvrière, and SUD, alongside student organisations USL, UNEF, Union étudiante, FAGE, and FSE, has called for a nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 10. The unions and student organisations are demanding higher salaries, more staff recruitment, and increased investment in the education and research sector.
The strike follows a walkout on November 5, with unions stating that government commitments made after that event remain insufficient. This industrial action is a response to perceived failures in current government education policy.
Unions boycott government wage conference
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has scheduled a social conference on wages for Monday, November 9, at Matignon. Public-sector unions have announced they will not attend the meeting.
The CGT Education union described the exclusion of public-sector representatives as "another provocation".
Specific demands for education and research sector
They further request 150,000 additional higher-education places and the cancellation of planned job cuts in the 2027 budget.
These requests follow government measures announced on October 26, which included 500 new teaching positions, a 28-pupil limit for second-year high school classes, 15,000 additional higher-education places for 2027-2028, and plans to replace the Parcoursup platform in 2028.
Disputed turnout figures from November 5 walkout
The nationwide walkout on November 5 drew significantly different attendance figures from authorities and organisers. The Interior Ministry reported 575,000 participants across 193 demonstrations, with 65,000 of those in Paris. In contrast, the CGT reported a turnout of 1.573 million.
Discrepancies were also evident regarding participation within the education sector.
Following these events, student and trade union groups are planning a demonstration in Paris for November 10.
Security forces deployed for ongoing protests
A total of 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across France on Saturday, November 7. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced these security measures during a news conference held on Friday.
In the capital, police moved to prevent an unauthorised gathering near the Elyée Palace on November 7.
The Yellow Vests movement scheduled a gathering at Place de la Concorde. The Interior Ministry stated that many planned demonstrations lack formal leadership or union oversight and include calls for violence on social media, leading to concerns about potential property damage, blockades, and violence.
Authorities have prohibited demonstrations in certain city centres and required organisers of declared protests to utilise alternative routes. The security operation includes 25 Centaur armoured vehicles, 110 mobile force units, drones, helicopters, and water cannons.
Police are conducting checks at railway stations, on railway lines, and on roads to seize items that could be used as weapons. The ministry stated it would protect peaceful protests but vowed "a firm response" against looters and thugs, who will face arrest.
Future meetings and ongoing student mobilization
Student mobilisations have occurred across France in recent weeks, involving the blocking of schools to protest against educational resources and conditions.
The government plans to hold a meeting with public-sector unions on November 13, according to TF1.
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