France Grapples with Nationwide Strike Against Austerity and Low Pay

Unions Mobilize Against Government Policies

France is experiencing a significant nationwide strike today, October 2, 2025, as a broad coalition of unions, known as the intersyndicale, calls for a halt to work across key sectors. The collective, comprising major organizations such as CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU, and Solidaires, is protesting against the government's proposed austerity measures and demanding improved wages and social protections.

This mobilization follows the failure of discussions between union representatives and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on September 24 at Matignon. Union leaders, including Marylise Léon of the CFDT, expressed disappointment, stating that the Prime Minister 'n'a apporté aucune réponse claire aux attentes des travailleurs et des travailleuses' ('has not provided any clear answers to the expectations of workers').

Key Demands and Budgetary Context

The unions' primary grievances center on several aspects of the government's economic and social policies, particularly those outlined in the upcoming 2026 budget project. Their demands include:

• The abandonment of the controversial 64-year retirement age reform.
• A halt to the proposed freeze on social benefits.
• Reversal of the planned unemployment insurance reform.
• Opposition to the doubling of medical franchises.
• The cancellation of 3,000 civil servant position suppressions.
• A general revalorization of salaries and the creation of additional public sector jobs.
• Calls for greater fiscal justice, including the taxation of high incomes and fortunes, and linking public aid to companies with social and environmental criteria.

The strike is seen as a critical test of strength for the intersyndicale ahead of the official presentation of the 2026 finance bill, expected by October 13-15.

Impact on Public Services and Education

The strike has led to varying degrees of disruption across public services. In the education sector, the Ministry of National Education reported that 6.42% of teachers were on strike, a figure lower than previous mobilizations. However, the SNES-FSU, a leading secondary education union, claimed a higher participation rate of 27% in colleges and lycées. Several lycées, including in Bordeaux and Rennes, experienced blockades by students and protestors.

The public hospital service also saw strike notices, with unions aiming to broaden participation. A minimum service is being maintained in healthcare establishments to ensure continuity of care. At La Poste, the CGT FAPT union called for a 24-hour strike, citing concerns over working conditions and low wages.

Transport Disruptions and Nationwide Demonstrations

While significant, the impact on transportation appears to be less severe than anticipated by some. SNCF (national railways) reported that TGV traffic is largely normal, though 'quelques perturbations' ('some disruptions') are expected on TER, RER, and Intercités lines, particularly in regions like Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie. In Paris, the RATP (public transport operator) announced that metro and tramway services are mostly normal, with only minor perturbations on certain RER lines.

Across France, more than 240 demonstrations are scheduled. Authorities estimate that between 300,000 and 350,000 people are participating nationwide, a figure lower than the previous strike on September 18, which drew over 500,000 according to the Ministry of Interior. In Paris, the main march is proceeding from Place d'Italie to Place Vauban. Security forces are heavily deployed, with approximately 76,000 police and gendarmes mobilized nationally, including 5,000 in the capital, with orders to prevent blockades. Beyond the organized marches, some industrial sites, including factories belonging to Stellantis, Michelin, and Thales, have also faced blockades by protestors.