The Senate limits the right to strike in the transport sector over certain periods

Against the advice of the government, the Senate adopted at first reading, Tuesday April 9, a bill to limit strikes in transport during certain periods. Necessary measures to “ensure continuity of service” Or “deliberate attacks on the right to strike” ? The divisions were revived between the left, fiercely opposed to the text, and the senatorial majority of the right and the center, unsurprisingly managed to have it adopted by 211 votes against 112.

The text grants the government a quota of 30 days per year during which “staff of public transport services”, except the airline sector, would be deprived of their right to strike, with a limit of seven days in a row per ban period. These protected days would only concern certain periods: school holidays, public holidays, elections and referendums as well as events “of major importance”, like the Olympic Games. The ban on striking would also be limited to peak hours and to personnel essential to the operation of the service.

It is also planned to extend the deadline for declaring strikers from 48 to 72 hours, to increase the “minimum level of service” during peak hours with a requisition process under strict conditions, as well as a system for lapsing certain notices not followed up, to combat “dormant notices” which sometimes run for several months. Another measure voted on: that which requires employees wishing to strike to join the movement from the start of their service and not during the day. One way to fight against “59 minute strikes”less costly for the employee, but sources, according to the right, of great disorganization.