The CGT, France’s second-largest trade union, has threatened to impose a blackout on major events in the coming months including the French Open and the Monaco Grand Prix in protest to the planned pension reform by the country’s government. French president Emmanuel Macron has caused uproar in the country for his pension reform plans.
Protests have taken place throughout the country since January demanding Macron to resign over the planned reforms, which will increase the retirement age by two years to 64. He addressed the protests earlier this week in a televised speech, insisting the French government will be working on a plan to get the country back on its feet within the next 100 days.
But that speech has been met with even more anger from the CGT Energy unions, who are planning mass protests throughout that timeframe. The French Open, which gets underway on May 28, is named as an event that could be affected by the protests along with the Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled for May 26.
The ‘grevilla’ – what the union have referred themselves to – has threatened ‘energy disturbances’ during the coming months. “Macron promised 100 days to appease, we promise him 100 days of actions and anger! The time is far from resignation,” their statement read.
“Our debates bring out offensive, firm and unanimous positions. In May, do what you like!
“The Cannes film festival, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Roland-Garros tournament, the Avignon festival could end up in the dark! We won’t give up!”
A number of protests are planned for France’s Labour Day on May 1 with Sophie Binet, secretary-general of the CGT union, demanding Macron to reverse the proposed pension reforms.
“All unions call on the president of the republic to be wise <…> understand what is going on in the country and not to endorse the legislation,” she said.
“If he recalls it, we will have a dialogue with him with great pleasure.” The 2022 French Open was also disrupted when a climate protestor interrupted the men’s semi-final match between Casper Ruud and Marin Cilic.
The woman ran onto the court while Ruud was serving and tied herself to the net, donning a t-shirt which read: “WE HAVE 1028 DAYS LEFT”. Security were slow to react to the situation with the players taken off the court while the match was suspended.
