France
France: strike action continues at the Paris Opera
Workers at the Paris Opera have been striking since October 18th in defence of their pension regimes.
The strike has caused the cancellation of 17 performances and 8 have gone ahead in a reduced form. The strike is strongest amongst workers from the Sud union, and to a lesser extent FSU. These workers are in the majority amongst lighting and stage hands and as such have a strong position. The FO, CGT and CFDT unions have already agreed to negotiations with management.
France: Social Security workers to strike over purchase power
In a week that has seen Sarkozy's approval rating drop below 50% yet another group of workers prepares to fight back against worsening conditions.
The diminishing purchase power of workers due to stagnant wages and inflation is a cause for nationwide concern, with workers demanding pay increases and bonuses to make back the losses from sub-inflation offers in previous years.
France: Students demonstrate in Paris
Some 3000 school and university students marched through the streets of Paris today to show their continuing opposition to the LRU
The march began at the PRG campus (Paris VII) on the South side of the Seine, the march then made its way past the gare d'Austerlitz and finally ended at the place de la Bastille where Police blocked off the exits.
France: repression of the student movement intensifies
Student demonstrations and occupations are finding themselves the targets of violence organised or incited by the authorities.
In Grenoble today students of the IEPG (Institute of political studies) were setting up the blockade they had voted for. The director of the IEPG, Olivier Ihl, threatened to set dogs on them, although the dogs were reluctant.
Salamé Miro, José, 1920-2007
A short biography of José Salamé Miro, militant of Spanish origin active in France and the Spanish Revolution.
José Salamé Miro was born in the small village of Vinebra in the Catalan province of Tarragona. His childhood was spent in Barcelona. His father was a saddler and sympathetic to the CNT, attending the libertarian ateneo of the neighbourhood. Jose was a choir boy as a child, but as he grew he started moving towards anarchist ideas. He became a member of the CNT and the Libertarian Youth (FIJL).
Brief report on the assemblée générale of students at Nanterre university 27/11/07
.jpg "Assemblée générale of students at Nanterre university 27/11/07")
A brief account of the results of the meeting, attended by at least 1000 students.
The first motion was that strike committees and coordination with workers and other students were the favoured step and were necessary to win. It refused all attempts to negotiate before the law is withdrawn. and denounced the UNEF for trying to do so.
This was passed by such a massive majority that there was no count.
Account of the assemblée générale of staff at Nanterre university 27/11/07
The assemblée générale was attended by a total of around 130 staff, almost 30 of whom addressed the meeting. A student representative was also present.
Results
The meeting eventually voted on the following proposals:
For the meeting to go to the President's office and deliver a statement condemning the intervention of police on campus and the LRU law. Voted for unanimously
For the word abrogation (annulment) to be replaced with suspension (with regard to the LRU law). 7 for, 1 abstention, 3 non-votes and the rest against.
France: university strikes and occupations against the LRU continue
.jpg "Nanterre university blockade")
Students across France have been voting on the next step in the ongoing struggle against the so-called reforms of the LRU law.
On Monday the government announced a 50% increase in university budgets over the next five years and also vowed to spend 11M on student housing.
France: Rail workers end strikes
.jpg "Strikers demonstrate against Sarkozy's 'reforms'")
After nine days of strike action rail workers finally ended their strike, although they did not win their demands the strike still had many positive aspects.
There is a certain bitterness amongst rail workers, with other strikers abandoning solidarity actions and their own unions selling them out. However what must be noted is that the strike itself was a victory for the rank and file.
Lefeuvre, René and Editions Spartacus
A history of Spartacus publishing in France, with biographical information about its founder, René Lefeuvre.
Born in Brittany in 1902, René Lefeuvre, started work at 16, his father teaching him his trade as an artisan mason.
