French Unions Demand Reversal of Pension Reforms Amid Threat of Strikes
On September 24, 2025, France’s leading trade unions faced off against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, urging him to roll back austerity measures and suspend pension reforms. The unions issued a warning of renewed strikes should their demands go unmet, reports 24brussels.
The meeting took place at the Hôtel de Matignon, where leaders from major unions such as CFDT, CGT, and FO pressed for immediate concessions following widespread protests against economic policies perceived as unjust. Union representatives emphasized the urgent need for action, threatening further industrial action if their grievances are ignored.
Union leaders presented their ultimatum to Lecornu on the same day as the meeting, which followed a nationwide mobilization on September 18. Since taking office, the Prime Minister has committed to implementing “substantial changes” and had previously engaged with unions individually. Wednesday’s meeting marked a significant moment, as it was his first collective engagement with labor leaders.
CGT Secretary General Sophie Binet stated, “If we do not receive a favorable response to all our demands, we will immediately call for a new day of strikes and demonstrations.” CFE-CGC chief François Hommeril labeled the current situation as a critical juncture for both sides, expressing the necessity for cooperation.
The unions outlined several key demands, including the repeal of the 2023 pension reform that raised the retirement age to 64, halting cuts to unemployment insurance, and lifting various benefit freezes. Binet criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s push for reforms as the root cause of a “democratic crisis,” underscoring the urgent need for changes that address public discontent.
Further voices within the union movement underscored the urgency for priority measures aimed at protecting vulnerable populations. Murielle Guilbert from Solidaires warned that minor adjustments would not suffice to quell public anger surrounding the pension system.
Lecornu’s stance remains ambiguous as he continues discussions with centrist and right-wing factions, aiming to achieve consensus before engaging with the Socialist Party to finalize the budget. Union leaders expressed deep skepticism regarding the government’s willingness to alter key policies.
The confrontation between unions and the government reflects an escalating political and social divide in France. The stakes are high; the outcome will reveal whether Lecornu’s administration is capable of addressing pressing demands regarding pension reforms and austerity, or whether it will provoke a fresh wave of strikes challenging the current policy direction and the government’s legitimacy.
