Port workers and dockers unions in France have renewed their efforts in protesting the raising of the retirement age in January this year. A series of work stoppages are to take place across several ports in the country throughout this and the next month.
One protest has already taken place on 23rd February. Around 80 workers who were a part of the union in LE HAVRE port stopped work for 4 hours. This hampered the work at the port, causing passengers to be unable to get on ferries and freight not to be loaded. Several workers in the Port de Calais also stopped work for four hours in solidarity with their peers, leading many to believe that the strikes could spread to more ports.
The CGT Federation of Ports and Docks has also announced the dates and times for upcoming protests across major ports in France. The protests will involve workers walking off their jobs for four hours at a time between midday and 4 PM on the 27th and the 29th of January. The workers union has also filed a notice for an upcoming 48-hour protest set to take place on the 30th and the 31st of January of this month.
The protests are scheduled throughout February, taking place on the 4th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 18th, 20th, 24th, 26th, and 28th.
The union claims that the cause behind the renewed impetus on protests is due to the lack of action on the part of the government on the issue of raising the retirement age and pension reforms. The union claims that there has been little progress despite the negotiations that have been ongoing for around two years.
The union has reported that they will convene together again on 3rd February to plan out their actions for the month.
