SCHOOL STRIKE. The CGT calls for an interprofessional and national strike day on Thursday, November 10. The movement could win schools but also extracurricular activities. What to expect?
The CGT wants to put the cover back. The union led by Philippe Martinez is calling for a day of interprofessional and national strike on Thursday November 10, 2022, after the very popular movement of October 18 launched on the sidelines of the strike in the refineries and that which went almost unnoticed on October 27. This Thursday, the mobilization could be substantial, especially in transport since the CGT-RATP had already planned to strike and announced a “dark day”. The call for the November 10 strike could also be heard in schools. In mid-October, the strike found little echo among education professionals since 6% participation had been recorded in schools and colleges, but the latter was much more substantial in vocational high schools which had already planned to challenge the reform of high schools. What about this Thursday? It is still difficult to predict the extent of the mobilization but The voice of the North let it be known that a strike notice is actively circulating in the schools.
Will schools be closed during the November 10 strike?
The schools have not yet communicated and it is still too early to assess the follow-up to the strike of Thursday, November 10 in schools. Parents must count on the strike notice that circulates and which allows them to know if the teachers will be present at school or in the processions of strikers, enough to be able to organize themselves at a minimum. However, for those who can, it is best to take the temperature at schools this Tuesday, Wednesday being a closed day in schools. Kindergarten and primary teachers are required to announce their intention to strike at least 48 hours in advance.
In colleges and high schools, it is more difficult to anticipate the commitment of teachers. If a union has already filed a strike notice, teachers are not obliged to report individually. Most are in the habit of notifying the administrative services of the establishment and sometimes the students themselves, but here again, it is not an obligation.
Is childcare possible during the November 10 strike?
Even during a strike and in the event of the teachers’ absence, a minimum service must be provided in the schools, in particular childcare. The law in force since 2008 provides that “a pupil in primary school (nursery or elementary) must be welcomed during class time, even if his teacher or mistress is absent. This reception service is free. It is provided differently in public schools and in private schools under contract”. Parents caught off guard will therefore be able to know that their child is safe and cared for. On the other hand, the other extracurricular services such as the nursery or the canteen service may be affected by the strike without a solution being offered. It should be noted that this free minimum reception service is not in force in colleges and high schools.
Why can schools go on strike this Thursday, September 10?
The demands of the CGT have not changed since the previous strike calls. It is a question of mobilizing to demand a rise in wages in times of inflation and to defend the pension in the face of the reform desired by the government. These arguments will be those taken up by the educational staff on strike this Thursday. Another cause could be added to the list, in particular for high school teachers who on October 18 had campaigned against the reform of vocational high schools.