French civil servants strike nationwide over pay freeze

French public-sector unions launched a nationwide strike and more than 170 demonstrations on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, to protest a fourth consecutive freeze of the index point that sets civil-service pay. Eight federations — CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGC and FA-FP — called the action two days before the government presents its 2027 budget.

In the Manche department, rallies were scheduled in Cherbourg and Saint-Lô. Union representative Martine Quesnel said 862,000 public employees now earn below the minimum wage and require a compensatory allowance. She warned of a "hemorrhage" of staff leaving for the private sector, degrading public services.

“There is a hemorrhage of public agents crossing the street to find work in the private sector.”

In Paris, between 5,000 and 10,000 firefighters were expected to march from Place d'Italie to Bastille before joining the main procession from Place de la République to Place de la Nation. The Snuipp-FSU union forecast 40% of primary-school teachers would strike.

Disruptions were reported in schools and transport. In the Île-de-France region, 75 high schools were affected and flight reductions were requested at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Marseille-Provence airports.

Unions aim to pressure budget arbitrations and send a message to presidential candidates as the election campaign approaches. Cumulative inflation over the past ten years stands at 21% according to INSEE.