UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Soyons ensemble! - General strike in France to defend pension rights‏

A general strike takes place today in France in protest at the right wing Sarkozy Government’s plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11204528 A coalition of trade unions are taking action in both the public and private sectors, and are urging the unemployed, students, young people and retired workers to join in.

France's largest union, the CGT, said it expected the turnout for the protest marches across the country to be stronger than during the strikes in June, when more than 800,000 people took part in demonstrations. Today’s strike coincides with the presentation of the pension reform bill to the French parliament.

"We may have an exceptional day and, if it is exceptional, we will perhaps be at a turning point," said CGT leader Bernard Thibault  http://www.cgt.fr/

For background information read:
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2010/06/general-strike-in-france-over-pension.html