Thousands of teachers are joining today's one-day national strike in France, the latest move in a series of industrial actions to protest against job cuts, government reform plans and decreased purchasing power because of the economic crisis.According to unions, 67.5% of primary school teachers and close to 60% of secondary school teachers are downing tools today, though the education ministry claims the figures are 47.9% and 28%, respectively.
Previous industrial action by teaching unions has already prompted president Nicolas Sarkozy to delay his reforms of the upper secondary school system and the baccalaureate. The latest one was in October, when teachers and students went on a one-day strike to protest against government reform plans. Ministers feared that the strike movement would escalate into a wider movement of opposition against the government. Sarkozy was said to have been particularly concerned about the riots that took place in Greece after students took to the streets.
Strikers are expected to be joined by school and university students, as well as some of their parents, at marches taking place today in central Paris and other cities across France.
Top of the list of grievances are job cuts, with 11,200 jobs already slashed and another 13,500 to go this year. Strikers are also protesting against plans to cut 3,000 jobs among professionals who specialise in helping children who have difficulties in nursery and primary schools.
Many primary school teachers are also angry at past school reforms, such as the end of teaching hours on Saturday mornings, which means they have less time to do their work - although some relish the possibility of having a completely free weekend. Teachers are also angry that the ongoing economic crisis is decreasing their purchasing power.
Today's one-day industrial action comes as part of a general strike that has already been dubbed "Black Thursday". French lawyers, judges, journalists, postal, rail and tube workers are among the many professionals who are downing tools today.
Strikers will benefit from strong public backing - 69% of French people say they "support" or "sympathise with" the industrial action, according to a poll published yesterday in the daily Le Parisien.
Today's action is not expected to be the last. University lecturers and researchers are expected to strike on Monday in protest against job cuts and reforms of their job status that would see, among other things, university presidents having more control over their professional lives. In France, teachers are civil servants and their working lives following strict, state-fixed rules. Some university unions are even pushing for an "unlimited" strike.