“The only thing that will stop the mobilization is a response to the demands”
France’s inter-union coalition will decide on the future of the mobilization following a meeting at Matignon on Monday. Following Thursday’s nationwide demonstrations, the group—representing the CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU, and Solidaires—announced that the future of their social mobilization depends entirely on the outcome of a government-led social conference at Matignon.
Union Grievances and Claims of Repression
In a joint communiqué released Friday, the coalition signaled deep frustration with the current state of dialogue. They noted that civil servants and students, both active in recent protests, “do not even have an appointment” to voice their grievances. Beyond economic demands, the unions issued a formal condemnation of “unacceptable obstacles” to the right to protest. Citing “bans and modifications of routes” and the reported “repression of demonstrations in Toulouse and Lyon,” the coalition is now demanding a full investigation into police conduct and has pledged support for injured militants, as reported by Le Figaro.
🔴 Mouvement des lycéens à #Lyon : un incendie est allumé devant le lycée Édouard Herriot, dans le 6e. D’impressionnantes flammes lèchent la façade de l’établissement. (Document remis à @actufr_lyon ) pic.twitter.com/E5pBEnPKB4
Interior Ministry Defends Tactical Force
The executive branch has shown no signs of softening its security stance. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stated he will not renounce the use of “intermediate means,” such as tear gas and grenades. According to 20minutes.fr, the minister maintained that police officers require these tools for self-defense when targeted, arguing that the state’s primary mandate is to prevent public disorder.
Inflation Drops Private Sector Basic Monthly Salaries
The government’s security posture is colliding with a bleak economic reality. Data released Friday by the Ministry of Labor shows that the basic monthly salary in the private sector fell by 1.1% over the past year when adjusted for inflation.
The Education Sector in Flux
The unrest is now firmly entrenched in France’s classrooms. Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray warned Friday that blocking access to schools is illegal and will result in sanctions. The government estimates that 0.5% of the country’s 3,700 high schools are currently experiencing blockades.
However, the movement shows few signs of retreating. Student groups and the UNEF are organizing a “black day” for universities, while high schoolers are demanding improvements to basic facility conditions, including sanitary installations. In Saint-Denis, staff at the Paul-Eluard high school have voted for an open-ended strike, explicitly demanding the departure of their principal following a mid-October intervention by the anti-crime brigade (BAC) on school grounds.
🔴 Scandale ! À Montpellier devant le lycée Jean Monnet, la police interpelle violemment l’infirmière scolaire ! Votre répression ne fera pas taire les revendications ! @NunezLaurent @Prefet34 pic.twitter.com/ly5gLjRbj8
The Monday Deadline
The inter-union coalition is scheduled to meet again on Monday evening. They will evaluate the executive’s proposals from the Matignon conference and, as the unions put it, “decide on the subsequent phases of the mobilization.”
