Paris is witnessing a major strike by metro workers today and only the two metro lines that are automatically operated will function normally in Paris.
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Only two automated metro lines will function normally in Paris
Today, Thursday, Paris is witnessing a strike by metro workers Called by all the unions that run the subway In the French capital, the “Independent Transport Authority in Paris”, and it seems that it will take place with wide participation.
However, mobilization is likely to be less in other sectors, where a union called to stop working.
Only two automated metro lines will function normally in Paris. Five lines will be completely closed, while a train will run at peak times on the other lines with reduced service. And the situation would not be better on the suburban rail network.
In the railway network managed by the SNCF, only one union, the General Union of Railway Workers, supports the strike and participation will be lower.
Therefore, the express trains will operate normally, barring some interruptions on other lines between regions, on the eve of a long weekend.
All the unions of the Autonomous Transport de Paris have been asking for this mobilization for some time to ask for an increase in wages and better working conditions. The authority’s management says workers received an average wage increase of 5.2% in 2022.
This authority, like other transport departments, suffers from a chronic shortage of workers due to hiring difficulties and is seeing an explosion in employee absenteeism rates, especially in its bus network.
Another reason for the mobilization is the upcoming pension reform plan, which could lead to raising the statutory retirement age and ending special systems, a source close to the administration said.
French union leaders hope to increase pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron, who is preparing to revive his plan to change the pension system, under which he will raise the retirement age from the current 62 to 65.
Demonstrations should be organized in France, particularly in Paris, on Thursday afternoon, as part of a day of national and professional mobilization, at the invitation of the General Labor Union.
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Only 14,000 protesters took part in the previous mobilization, which took place on October 27 during the school holidays in the provinces and 1,360 in Paris, according to police.
Union official Céline Verzeletti said she expected between 150 and 200 points of protest and a participation in the draw. Those recorded on October 18. Police said at the time that the number of demonstrators reached 107,000, while the union spoke of 300,000.
The authorities expect between forty and fifty thousand demonstrators nationwide and less than five thousand in Paris to participate.
The French unions have implemented in recent weeks Strikes in multiple sectorsTo demand higher wages or more employment, after rising energy prices led to higher inflation.
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