Reader question: Why do French strikes always seem to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays?

3 days ago The Local France

There are two types of strikes in France – unlimited or open-ended strikes that run for days or weeks at a time and single-day actions. READ MORE: Calendar: The French pension strike dates to rememberStéphane Sirot, a historian specialising in the sociology of strikes and trade unionism, explained to French newspaper Le Parisien that it’s all about maximising turnout. For this reason, weekends and public holidays are out because these days tend to have a reduced workforce. These days the Wednesday half-day is less common, but it still happens so unions usually avoid Wednesdays as well – leaving Tuesdays and Thursdays the optimum strike days. Of course, if the one-day strikes turn into une grève illimité (unlimited strike) or une grève reconductible (renewable strikes) they will encompass the whole week.
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British PM to visit France for first summit in 4 years

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17 days ago The Local France

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1 month ago The Local France

French refinery workers strike and threaten blockades as pension battle heats up

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16 days ago The Local France

Revealed: The simple trick to get the gender of French nouns (mostly) right

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3 months ago The Local France

On the agenda: What’s happening in France this week

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2 months ago The Local France

Language tests and easier expulsion: What’s in France’s new immigration law

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1 month ago The Local France

What to expect from road traffic in France over the Christmas holidays

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1 month ago The Local France

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