Staging a protest on September 18: Strategies for effective action
In France, both public and private sector federal employees have the right to participate in strikes, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Here's a breakdown of the key points surrounding strikes in each sector.
Public Sector
- All civil servants, excluding police officers, prison guards, and judicial magistrates, have the right to strike. However, it's important to note that not all unions have announced specific strike actions on September 17. Some strikes, such as those led by Verdi, are planned from October onwards or on other dates like September 22 for a general strike.
- A minimum service may be required in certain sectors, which involves declaring at least 48 hours in advance.
- Strikers must not prevent non-strikers from working.
- Strikers do not face disciplinary action or salary discrimination for going on strike.
Private Sector
- Employees have the right to strike without giving notice, and they can choose whether or not to inform their employer.
- There's no minimum duration for a strike, and employees can strike on any day, including Tuesday, without facing legal issues.
- If an employee informs their employer, they can state that they are participating in a national call.
- A striker's absence can be justified by their participation in the strike.
- A striker's salary will be affected proportionally to the duration of the work stoppage.
- Blocking access to a site or occupying premises with the intention of preventing non-strikers from working is considered an abusive act.
- There's no requirement to give notice before striking.
General Rules
- Even if an employee is the only one in their company who wants to strike, or the only employee, no one can stop them.
- In both sectors, strikers cannot be discriminated against or disciplined for going on strike.
- In the State civil service, a striker loses a thirtieth of their salary for each hour of strike, even if the strike time is only an hour.
In conclusion, while both public and private sector federal employees have the right to strike, there are certain conditions and restrictions that apply in each case. It's essential for employees to understand these rules to make informed decisions about participating in strike actions.
