French hardline union calls for more strikes to counter Macron's pension reform

Record ID: 1451010

  • Title: French hardline union calls for more strikes to counter Macron's pension reform
  • Date: 1st January 2020
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (RECENT - DECEMBER 20, 2019) (REUTERS) METRO STATION SIGN CLOSED METRO STATION PARIS, FRANCE (RECENT - DECEMBER 19, 2019) (REUTERS) TRAIN ARRIVING AT PLATFORM AT GARE DE L'EST TRAIN STATION PASSENGERS LEAVING TRAIN SCREEN FLASHING INFORMATION ABOUT STRIKE, URGING PASSENGERS TO DELAY OR CANCEL THEIR JOURNEYS VARIOUS OF CROWD WAITING AT BUS STOP PASSENGERS ENTERING CROWDED BUS
  • Embargoed: 15th January 2020 12:49
  • Keywords: CGT Macron Martinez pension reform retirement transport strike unions
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • City: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004BUCB5FR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH 2120-NEW-YEAR/FRANCE-MACRON, IN WHICH MACRON SAYS GOV'T WILL PUSH THROUGH WITH PENSION OVERHAUL
    French hardline union CGT called on Wednesday (January 1) for more strikes in France this month after president Emmanuel Macron pledged to push through an overhaul of the pension system following weeks of nationwide strikes by trade unions.
    Macron said in a traditional New Year's Eve address on Tuesday (December 31) that he expected his government to quickly find a compromise with unions on the reform, but without departing from the principles laid out by ministers.
    Unions are trying to force the former investment banker to abandon his overhaul of France's pension system with nationwide strikes since December 5 that have crippled public transport.
    "I was under the impression of having heard these words a thousand times," Philippe Martinez, the head of the CGT union, told BFM television of Macron's address.
    "We need strikes everywhere...The alarm signal needs to be louder," Martinez said.
    Martinez, who has also called on his union to strike at oil refineries, said his organisation would take part in a meeting between unions and the government on January 7.
    (Production: Michaela Cabrera)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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