The interprofessional strike called this Tuesday by the French unions in demand for wage increases to compensate for inflation is causing inconvenience to citizens, especially mobility, but it has not been massive and the country has been far from paralyzed. Some media, such as the LCI and CNews stations, already highlight the relative failure of the call and the discreet participation.
Many activities are carried out normally, especially in the private sector. The most pressing problem continues to be the lack of fuel at gas stations due to the strike at the TotalEnergies refineries.
The protest actions have affected trains and public transport, although maintaining a broad minimum service in most cases. They have stopped part of the employees of the civil service, garbage services in some cities, nurseries and nursing homes. Maintenance employees at several nuclear power plants have been on strike for several weeks. It is difficult to estimate actual follow-up on a national scale. For example, according to the Government, only 6% of teachers did not come to work
The general secretary of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), Philippe Martínez, had already recovered from his health days before and always spoke of a "widespread strike" but not of a general strike, aware of the difficulty of mobilization. The one who did use the term general strike, with more enthusiasm than realism, was Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insumisa (LFI, radical and populist left).
Regional trains have been the ones that have suffered the most cancellations. However, international traffic and high speed convoys (TGV) have been almost normal. However, the SNCF company could extend the strike, despite the fact that its workers have already achieved significant wage increases.
Queues at gas stations remain the problem that most irritates the French because the situation has lasted for several weeks. Support for the strikers has fallen sharply in recent days, according to polls. On the eve of the two-week All Saints school vacation, the difficulties of refueling wear out patience because they endanger travel. The government spokesman, Olivier Véran, announced that the forced mobilization of some gas station and fuel depot workers will be used again to guarantee supply.
Some 150 demonstrations in support of the strikers are planned throughout France. The one in Paris will start at Plaça d'Italia and end at Les Invalides, on the left bank of the Seine.
Beyond the social unrest, which is also a pulse to the Government, a delicate moment is approaching with the probable use of article 49-3 of the Constitution to approve the 2023 budget by decree and not assume the majority of amendments introduced by the opposition and even by some Macronist deputies who do not follow the Government's guidelines. Spokesman Véran indicated in an interview with the France-2 channel that this extraordinary procedure for the budgets could be carried out tomorrow.
