French unions’ launch joint action

CGT and FO, two French union confederations who have a long tradition of mutual suspicion, have agreed to a joint day of action on 5 March.

The two are protesting against an agreement signed by the employers and three other union confederations, CFDT, CFTC and CFE-CGC, in January.

CGT and FO argue that the agreement, which introduces a number of new rights for employees but also allows companies to reduce agreed terms and conditions in certain circumstances, goes too far in “cutting individual and collective rights”.