Two of the main civil servant unions, FO and CGT, called a strike on Thursday. “mobilization” and the “strike” after an unsuccessful meeting with Civil Service Minister Guillaume Kasbarian. “We’ll take the minister’s game at his word: three-day sick leave three strike days”.said Christian Grolier, General Secretary of the UIAFP-FO, who wants to work with the inter-union group. “as broad as possible”..

“It’s obvious that the CGT is going to take part in a strike”.added Sylviane Brousse, coordinator of the CGT Fonction Publique, denouncing the “contempt” of the minister. Denouncing “the policy of budgetary austerity”. Christophe Delecourt of the CGT Fonction Publique (French civil service union) said his union would be bringing the issue to a meeting of all civil service unions next Tuesday, “the idea of a first day of mobilization in the form of strikes and demonstrations”.. “We will of course follow up, if possible within a cross-industry framework.”he added.

It remains to be seen whether the call will be followed by the other unions. “Launching a call for strike action when the intersyndicale is meeting on November 12 is a bit hasty”.says Stanislas Gaudon, president of the CFE-CGC public services federation. The unionist prefers to appeal to the responsibility of members of parliament, who are due to vote – or not – on the two amendments enacting the change desired by the government, this Tuesday November 12 in the Finance Committee. “If they let the amendments pass, they must be aware that they will be held accountable for these two decisions”..