Two days before the strike of January 19, 2023, the demonstrations and especially the disruptions planned on transport traffic, in schools or in refineries must become clearer this Tuesday. The unions hope to see a million people oppose the pension reform.
The essential
This Tuesday, January 17, 2023, several unions must give details on the forms and extent that the strikes of Thursday, January 19 will take in their sectors. The forecasts concerning RATP and SNCF transport traffic, those expected in schools but also the actions of the energy unions must be detailed during the day. The CGT, the CFDT and the six other trade union organizations united in a common front call for a massive mobilization and recall that the strike of January 19, 2023 must be the first act of mobilization against the pension reform. All the unions are ready to continue the strike at the end of January and in February.
It is still difficult to know if this movement will be very followed and if the processions will be very provided in the main cities of the country. But we already know which sectors are affected and the disruptions to be expected. This strike of January 19, 2023 concerns:
- SNCF
- RATP
- national education
- Higher Education
- refineries
- aviation flight attendants
- the energy sector
- all public service professions
- ski resort employees
Live
08:13 – How many teachers are on strike on January 19?
We will have to wait until January 19 to find out the proportion of teachers on strike against the pension reform, but it will be possible to get a first idea of the extent of the mobilization in the National Education sector this evening, from less for primary schools (nursery, elementary). Primary teachers are required to report a strike for at least 48 hours to the management of the establishment. On the other hand, no secondary school teacher is subject to the same rule, no more than educational assistants (AED).
08:08 – A taste of the strike in schools this January 17
The January 19 strike is only expected in two days and yet the time has already come for mobilization in schools this Tuesday, January 17. The teachers have promised to mobilize in numbers for the two demonstrations. This Tuesday, January 17, teachers are demanding an increase in wages and improved working conditions, while on Thursday, January 19, the fight against pension reform will overshadow all other demands. However, it is not impossible that slogans related to retirement will be heard in the processions on Tuesday.
08:02 – What disruptions are planned for the January 19 strike?
A hundred demonstrations are already planned by the unions for the day of strike of January 19, but on the side of the disturbances expected in the various sectors having affirmed their participation in the mobilization everything is still very vague. RATP and SNCF transport have promised a “significant” mobilization and have set “zero transport” objectives without being sure of being able to meet them. Same observation in schools where it is still impossible to know how many professionals will mobilize. But this evening, the fog should dissipate with the publication of the first traffic forecasts and the obligation for primary school teachers to declare their participation in the strike.
01/16/23 – 11:46 p.m. – Where and at what time? Here is the interactive map of the CFDT to know all the meeting points
END OF LIVE – What is the place of mobilization against pension reform closest to you? While many French people intend to mobilize on Thursday January 19, 2023, the CFDT has developed an interactive map allowing you to know all the mobilizations organized in the four corners of France, with their rallying point and the departure time of the procession. We make it available to you below:
01/16/23 – 11:24 p.m. – Élisabeth Borne calls for “not to penalize the French”, Jean-Luc Mélenchon agrees… in his own way
Questioned by LCI and BFM in front of the headquarters of La France insoumise, Monday evening January 16, on the words of the Prime Minister who called for “not to penalize the French”, Jean-Luc Mélenchon let himself go one foot nose of which he alone has the secret. “She is right,” he initially replied to the journalist, before adding: “We must avoid penalizing the French, so we must withdraw the reform” from pensions. “She’s the one who’s messing up the mess”, did not fail to scold Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
01/16/23 – 10:48 p.m. – Disruptions in Parisian transport known on Tuesday evening
The RATP will also be mobilized against the pension reform planned by the majority. A strike notice was therefore filed by the RATP unions (CGT, FO, Unsa and CFE-CGE). The disruptions expected on the metro, RER and bus lines are however not yet known. “We will be able [d’]assess the impact on service from Tuesday [17 janvier]”, declared the CEO of the RATP, Jean Castex, on Friday. Note that at this stage, the unions are calling for a 24-hour strike, not an indefinite strike, even if things could change after of the first day of mobilization on Thursday.
01/16/23 – 10:26 p.m. – Jean-Luc Mélenchon “walking[a] behind the unions” Thursday
Interviewed in front of the headquarters of La France insoumise this Monday, January 16, by BFM TV, Jean-Luc Mélenchon confirmed his presence in the ranks of the demonstrators on Thursday, a day of mobilization against the pension reform. “I will walk behind the unions,” he said. Questioned by the LCI journalist on the fact that the union front had never been so united for 12 years, the former LFI presidential candidate said he thought that this union unity “is an extraordinary asset”. “We must encourage him in every possible way,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
01/16/23 – 9:47 p.m. – A petition against the pension reform already signed more than 400,000 times
Two days before the big day of mobilization against the pension reform, Thursday January 19, a petition launched on the Change.org platform by the intersyndicale already collected more than 400,000 signatures on Monday evening. CFDT, CGT, FO, Solidaires, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa and FSU denounce a “government project [qui] has nothing of an economic necessity”, considering that “it is the choice of injustice and social regression”. “Other solutions are possible!” is it affirmed, while those who support the inter-union mobilization and oppose this reform are invited to sign.
01/16/23 – 9:23 p.m. – The map of rallying points against the CGT pension reform
The CGT Spectacle also invites mobilization against the pension reform on Thursday, January 19. Several appointments, all over France, are listed on its large map to be found below:
MOBILIZATION ON JANUARY 19: the meetings of the CGT Spectacle in Paris and in the region, already more than 40 meeting points!
Paris IDF at 2 p.m. Republic – Bastille – Nation
Federal meeting at 1:45 p.m. 1 place de la République, at the corner of République/boulevard du Temple. pic.twitter.com/qvgIrjCmb3– CGT SPECTACLE (@cgt_spectacle) January 14, 2023
01/16/23 – 8:45 p.m. – Time, places… Here are the meeting points in Brittany on Thursday 19 January
Thursday January 19, 2023, everywhere in France, many processions must form to protest against the pension reform announced by the government. On Twitter, the CFDT Bretagne published a list of meeting points and times for the mobilizations organized in the region.
01/16/23 – 8:25 pm – Pension reform: “The referendum could be a way out”, says Alexis Corbière
“A moment ago, to unblock the situation, why not consult the people?” suggested Monday evening the deputy LFI Alexis Corbière on the set of Public hearing. What the journalists reacted to: “Do you want a referendum?” And Alexis Corbière to answer: “It could be a way out.”
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strike at school
The strike of this Thursday, January 19 should be very followed in schools, colleges and high schools. The FSU, the first teachers’ union federation, has launched a call for broad mobilization: “Quality of public service, salaries, pensions, it is always a question of the distribution of wealth, the government is opening up several fronts, let’s be present-es on all!”, she wrote in a press release. The appeal of the FSU was followed by all the other national education unions.
Note that a strike, planned for a long time, is organized this Tuesday, January 17, to demand a salary increase, and the improvement of the working conditions of teachers.
SNCF strike
All the unions of the railway group have called for a strike. The disruptions should be very important this Thursday, but the traffic disruptions should not be known until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Strike at the RATP
The unions of the Ile-de-France group are also organized so that the strike of January 19 is very followed and very impactful on the operation of the RER, metros, buses and trams. Traffic forecasts should not be communicated until Wednesday, January 18.
Strike in aviation
In this sector, the strike could be less significant, only a minority union has filed a strike notice. For the time being, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has not alerted to the risk of flight cancellations this Thursday, January 19.
Refinery Strike
The Oil branch of the CGT called for a strike on Thursday January 19, then on January 26 and February 6. It is to be expected that “shipment stops” for fuel convoys in France, but the impact in pumps should be limited this Thursday. If the strike continues or if it gains momentum, the risk of a shortage or partial shortage will be significant for the beginning of February.
Strike in the civil service
The eight unions have called on all civil servants to drop out and demonstrate against the pension reform. Here again, given the diversity of trades and sectors of activity of the public, it will be necessary to wait until the day before the strike to take the measure of the disturbances generated in the public service. It should be noted that the Synergie-Officiers police union called for a strike on January 19; at the hospital, the strike should generate significant waiting times in the reception of patients.