After two mobilizations, a new day of strike is planned in schools on Tuesday, January 31, to protest once again against the pension reform, presented this Monday in the Council of Ministers. What is the extent of the mobilization to come? We take stock.
[Mise à jour du 23 janvier 2023 à 14h29]. The government presents this Monday the pension reform in the Council of Ministers. Among the new measures: 1.8 million people or 200,000 new retirees should benefit from the revaluation of the minimum pension of up to 100 euros. However, the government remains firm on retirement age at 64. The demands of the unions have therefore not been taken into account on this point and the latter intend to amplify the mobilization, during a new strike scheduled for January 31. They demand the withdrawal of these “age measures”. “We hope to do even stronger on the 31st. Until then, every day, there will be initiatives in companies, in departments“, warned the secretary general of the CGT Philippe Martinez.
On the teachers’ side, after a first day of mobilization on January 17 to demand a revaluation of the teaching profession, a second strike on January 19 to protest against the pension reformthe eight main French unions have decided to stand together so that the reform does not pass. “We are determined to mobilize and make the government bend”, announced Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT general, after a press briefing on January 10. the SUD Education union has already let it be known on Twitter that he would be mobilized, and he goes even further since he calls for a extension of the strike after January 31.
A new strike announced on January 31, and in the schools?
The eight main French trade unions have announced thata new day of strike would be organized on January 31, against the pension reform. All sectors of professional activity are called upon to continue the movement, including National Education. In their joint press release, dated January 19, they set the tone for the next mobilization: “We are united and determined to have this pension reform project withdrawn, which is why the intersyndicale is calling for a new day of strikes and interprofessional demonstrations on January 31.” Disturbances could therefore occur in the schools, colleges and high schools, as well as extracurricular services.
The 19th was massive, so we’re going back to school full of energy and we don’t forget to discuss with our colleagues and go to the GA to mobilize for the strike of the 31st, organize local actions for the next week, put up banners… Let’s make the government back down!
— FSU-SNUipp Paris (@SNUippFSUParis) January 20, 2023
What if my child’s school or class is closed?
For parents who want to know if a reception service will be maintained for this strike day, the answer is yes. “In many schools, when it is not closed, only a few teachers will teach the class“, said the teachers’ union in its press release. Invited on RMC, Guislaine David recalled thata minimum childcare service is compulsory in primary schools, preschool and primary schools. “This is why we must (teachers editor’s note) declare at least 48 hours in advance to organize this service”, comments the secretary general of the Snuipp-FSU. On the other hand, it specifies that in certain territories this service may not be set up. In cases where there is no childcare service in place, the parents of students must on their side find a solution to have their children looked after (nanny, baby sitter, care by a neighbour, trusted neighbor or grandparents). Without a solution, some parents have no choice but to ask for an RTT day or a telework day.
Can a student be turned away from school during a strike?
In the first degree, even if there is a planned strike in a school, under no circumstances can a pupil be refused school. “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 at public school and at private school under contract”indicates the site of the Public Service, according to the law in force since 2008.
Are teachers obliged to declare themselves strikers in advance?
The right to strike in National Education responds to a few obligations. In the first degree, school teachers must declare their intention to go on strike in advance, at least 48 hours before the movement, respecting one working day. It is therefore not possible to declare oneself a striker on Friday if the strike takes place on Monday. If the teacher does not inform his management, he incurs a disciplinary sanction, indicates the ministry’s website.
In colleges and high schools, if a notice has already been given by a union, teachers are not obliged to declare themselves to be on strike in advance. It is up to the management of the establishment to carry out a census of the strikers and to inform the pupils and their families of them in advance. In fact, some teachers also use interactive platforms with students and families to announce a few hours before the start of classes whether or not they are participating. Advice: do not hesitate to contact the school management a few days before or the day before to find out the details of the mobilization to come.
