Massive turnout for union demonstration

Trade unions were delighted at the high level of support for demonstrations and strikes across the country on 29 January in both public and private sectors. The protests, backed by eight trade union confederations, were in response to the economic crisis but were also part of the long-running campaign by public sector unions to secure real pay increases for their members and to recoup some of the purchasing power lost in recent years. One estimate put the total number of demonstrators at 2.5 million in nearly 200 events around the country. The eight unions will meet on 9 February to discuss

All the main trade union confederations – including CGT, CFDT, FO, UNSA and CFE-CGC – with the support of student organisations, organised a second day of strike action and protests on 31 January against changes to the pension system. There was again massive support in over 250 demonstrations across the country matching the first day of protests on 19 January. The trade unions are calling on the government to withdraw the planned reforms and especially the proposal to increase the pension age from 62 to 64. They argue that the vast majority of the population is opposed and the unions are

The Fp-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, Uiltrasporti and Fiadel trade union federations report very high levels of support for the national strike action in the waste sector on 8 November. They estimate overall that 90% of workers joined the strike with 100% coverage in some areas. The trade unions are determined to retain and renew the sector agreement and to incorporate a range of improvements. They want to ensure the agreement covers the whole sector including recycling plants and they are calling for action on safety, training, job classification and to ensure real increases in pay and other benefits.