Refuse Workers Return to Duty After Three-Week Walkout, But Union Warns of More Action if Pension Law Stands

The streets of Paris are breathing a little easier after a three-week refuse workers’ strike was called off, bringing relief to residents who had been living with the stench of overflowing bins and mountains of rubbish. As the CGT trade union announced the suspension of its industrial action and the blockade on incinerators was lifted, much of the 10,000 metric tonnes of waste that had accumulated across the French capital had been cleared. However, Paris is cleaner, but not completely clean as some rubbish remains, and tensions surrounding the controversial pension reform continue to simmer.

The strike, which was part of a wider wave of protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension law, had forced the closure of some of the city’s waste management services. Restaurant owners had to get creative, covering piles of garbage with tarpaulins to preserve the appeal of their outdoor terraces. As the city basked in an unexpectedly warm day, one resident of the 5th arrondissement shared a photo of rubbish bags being cleared for the first time since March 6, commenting, “Hallelujah! First trash collection since March 6.”

The strike, which had disrupted daily life in the city, was reportedly suspended due to a decline in strikers—as many workers were financially unable to continue without pay. The suspension was announced after the number of workers involved in the strike dwindled, with unions citing the high cost of striking and falling purchasing power. City Hall estimated that 7,000 tonnes of waste were still uncollected despite efforts to bring in private refuse companies.

Union leaders emphasized that the fight against the pension reform is far from over. They warned that if the French government does not revoke the law, which raises the retirement age to 64, they could renew the strike with even more force. “We need to discuss again with City Hall’s refuse collectors and cleaning workers to start again with a stronger strike… because we have almost no strikers left,” said the CGT union. The union remains firm on its demands, which include retirement at 60 for all workers, special provisions for more physically demanding jobs, and a guaranteed €2,000 monthly pension.

Despite the strike suspension, the city still shows signs of the disruption. In one eastern district near a hospital, workers cleared black bin bags, but a trail of rubbish remained scattered across the street. “They do seem to have left rather a lot of it on the street, but thankfully the worst has gone,” said one passerby. Another observer joked, “The rats have been having a party here.”

While Paris may be beginning to regain its usual cleanliness, the French government, which has refused to postpone or suspend the pension reforms, continues to face mounting pressure. The constitutional court is currently reviewing the new law, and unions are planning another national action day on April 6 to further protest the changes.