A third day of nationwide protests over budget savings and tax hikes will take place on Thursday 2nd October, but strike action in the Alpes-Maritimes is expected to be more muted than earlier demonstrations.
The call for mobilisation comes from France’s main unions, though this time without a unified front. While the CFDT, CGT, FO and Solidaires have each issued strike notices, they did not jointly sign a leaflet as they had for the large-scale demonstration on 18th September. On that day, 10,000 people marched in Nice according to organisers, compared with 2,700 according to police. The turnout on Thursday is forecast to be significantly lower.
Only one demonstration is planned in the Alpes-Maritimes, beginning at 10am from Thiers station in Nice and ending at Place Massena.
Public transport expected to run normally
Unlike the strike of 18th September, when trams in Nice were completely halted, no industrial action has been declared by the city’s public transport authority for 2nd October. Buses and trams are scheduled to run as normal, though the march may temporarily affect services along tram tracks in central Nice. The Envibus network in Antibes, which faced serious disruption two weeks ago, is also expected to operate normally.
Rail services are not expected to see widespread cancellations. SNCF has confirmed normal TGV schedules but warned of “some disruption” to TER services. Aviation may see minor delays, with 75 staff members across France declaring strike action, though the impact at airports is expected to be limited.
Schools see lower participation
Strike rates in education are also set to fall. The FSU-SNUipp, the main primary school union, estimates 10% of staff will walk out nationwide, compared with almost 18% on 18th September. In the Alpes-Maritimes, local union secretary Gilles Jean put participation at 20%, down from 30% two weeks ago.
In secondary schools, the SNES-FSU reported a similar decline, citing “the difficulty of holding multiple strikes so soon after the start of the school year.”
Hospitals join but on a smaller scale
The CGT has filed a strike notice for staff at Nice University Hospital. Union representative Stéphane Gauberti said workers would gather at Thiers station alongside other demonstrators and that those assigned to critical services would take part symbolically to be counted.
While the demonstrations are likely to attract less support than previous actions, organisers insist the movement remains vital in opposing “unfair and ineffective” budget measures.
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Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life