Clashes mark France’s ‘Black Thursday’ as unions and students strike over wages and pensions (Nov. 5)

Hundreds of thousands of people marched across France on Thursday as major labor unions joined a growing protest movement over wages, pensions and the rising cost of living, a day some international coverage called “Black Thursday.”

“Everything is going up except wages and pensions,” France’s main unions said in a joint statement, according to NBC News. “Anger is immense.”

France’s Interior Ministry put nationwide turnout at about 575,000 after revising an earlier estimate of 600,000, including about 60,000 in Paris, France 24 reported, citing official figures. The CGT, one of the country’s largest unions, said nearly 1.6 million people took part, including about 350,000 in the capital. The BBC, citing the ministry and the CGT, reported similar ranges.

Most demonstrations were largely peaceful, according to France 24 and the BBC. Clashes still broke out in several cities. In Lyon, riot police fired tear gas after black-clad protesters threw projectiles and at least one vehicle was set alight near the Gallieni bridge, Euronews, the BBC and France 24 reported. Unrest was also reported in Rennes and Bordeaux.

As of 6 p.m. local time, French authorities said 448 people had been arrested and 53 officers injured in clashes, France 24 reported. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had said about 70,000 police and security forces would be deployed.

Unions, students and a wider cost-of-living fight

Thursday’s strike followed weeks of high school student protests that began over neglected buildings, teacher shortages and university admissions, then drew in workers, retirees and a revived yellow-vest cost-of-living movement. Bean Town Brief covered that student-led wave after the Oct. 31 weekend marches.

Public and private education unions called strike action, along with rail workers, hospital staff and postal workers, France 24 reported. The education ministry said about 16 percent of teachers were on strike. The government reported blockades at 81 of about 3,700 high schools; a student association said classes were suspended at about 1,000 secondary schools.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe closed for the day because of the strike. The capital march followed a police-imposed route from Place de la République to Place de la Nation rather than the unions’ preferred path near government buildings, the BBC reported.

CGT leader Sophie Binet told the Paris rally that the question was no longer whether protesters would win, but how much, France 24 reported. As darkness fell, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would convene a “social conference” with unions and employers next Monday on purchasing power and wages, according to the BBC.

Unions are seeking across-the-board wage increases, including a higher minimum wage, and more funding for public services. The government has little budget room as it tries to cut the deficit, the BBC reported.