Strikes and increases in France

Dissatisfaction with pay increases which have fallen behind inflation (see Bargaining Report December 2000) has led to a rash of small disputes over pay in France according to the CGT, one of the main union confederations. The CGT lists several successful strikes at small and medium-sized plants, including: Bernardaud, a glass and ceramic firm, where 87 employees won a 4.0% increase after a three-week strike; a construction company La CPCU, where a two-day dispute led to a meals allowance of Euro12.20 a day for all 93 staff; a health clinic, Clinique Trenel , where strikes produced a Euro76.20 rise plus increased payment for Sunday working and additional Euro305 annual bonus. The 69 strikers at the clinic were also reimbursed for their strike days at 50% of their normal pay.