Strike against pension reform: transport, schools … what to expect for Thursday, January 19?
Unions unite for a nationwide strike on Thursday 19 January. Many sectors will be affected by the mobilization. We record what is planned.
Mobilization promises to be essential this Thursday, January 19th. In the face of a pension reform bill introduced by Elisabeth Borne on Jan. 10, unions are uniting for the first time in twelve years. Transportation, education, health, energy or even public services, many sectors will be greatly affected by this national strike.
Transport: “blow day”
The inter-union consisting of CGT, Unsa, SUD and CFDT expressed “total opposition to lowering the legal retirement age to 64 accompanied by an increase in the contribution period”. SNCF expects a “hit day”, a “powerful” attack… In short, qualification is not lacking.
So far, no concrete announcement has been made. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the consequences of the strike on the rail supply. SNCF will call the day before mobilization.
In Paris, traffic can be disrupted by RATP.
National education: many classes are closed
Two mobilizations are planned by FSU, the main teachers’ union. The first for January 17 concerns only the education sector. The second is for the general strike of January 19. The union denounced the “brutal and unjust act” that “we must fight with all our might”, in a press release.
Therefore, the week would be punctuated by certain teacher absences, sometimes due to transport strikes. As a consequence, certain classes and courses cannot be provided at all levels of education, explained BFM TV. Vocational secondary schools could be the most affected.
Energy: “stop delivery” of fuel
Specifically, it was the three major oil unions (CGT Total, CGT ExxonMobil and CGT Petro-Ineos) that launched this call for mobilization. The latter will lead to a “decreased flow” and a “stoppage of deliveries”, Eric Sellini, national union coordinator for TotalEnergies, told our Paris counterparts citing AFP.
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Pension reform: CGT Pétrole announces three strikes and threatens to shut down refineries “if necessary”
A 24 hour strike is already scheduled for Thursday, January 19, another 48 hours is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, and the final 72 hours will be held starting Monday, February 6. On this date, strike updates will be offered to employees, BFMTV details. “If necessary, closure of refineries” was envisaged.
“Through the union of employees we will stop these very unfair reforms and we will impose our demands. Let’s find ourselves in the struggle, the oil companies are coming!”, wrote the union in a press release posted on Twitter.
Hospitals: the strike that goes beyond pensions
It’s hard to say who will strike and who won’t. Many striking caregivers must remain at their posts. However, the effects of movement tend to weigh on patient admissions, particularly in the emergency room, presice BFM TV. As with other sectors, some health professionals may not be able to get to work due to transportation disruptions.
This mobilization was carried out after previous demonstrations took place in recent months.
Civil service: the great union front
For once, the public service unions have come together. The inter-union has invited all agencies to mobilize against pension reforms it deems “unfair and unnecessary”. In a press release, the eight trade union organizations “commanded the government to drop its plans to postpone the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 and to increase the contribution period”.
“The implied improvements in the rights of male and female agents through the introduction of gradual pensions in certain cases, the preservation of the rights associated with active service and their subsequent portability, in no way compensate for the reduction in the retirement age. opening of pension rights or extending the period of contributions”, said their statement.
Police: 59 years too late
The Inter-union Police also responded positively to the massive mobilization of January 19. “There’s no doubt the police are working longer hours,” warned Synergie-Officiers, alongside our colleagues from BFM TV.
Pension reform plans to delay full-rate departures to 59 years instead of 57. Hence, this ill-conceived proposal will be denounced on the street on Thursday.
