Politics · France · 10 hrs ago
French government rejects public-sector unions’ demand for pay rise
French public-sector unions met Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu in Paris on 13 November to press for higher pay.
Their main demand was to raise the pay index used to calculate many public salaries, which the government has kept frozen.
Unions say higher prices have cut workers’ purchasing power, while increases in the minimum wage are narrowing the gap with some public-sector pay grades.
The government rejected an index increase, citing budget pressures and the cost of the measure.
Unions called the response inadequate, and the CFDT joined a public-sector strike planned for 17 November.
The strike is the next planned step in the unions’ campaign over pay.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu rejected public-sector unions’ main demand for an increase in the index point used to calculate many public employees’ pay.
The unions said the government’s measures did not address the urgency of pay concerns and social anger.
The meeting took place at Matignon on 13 November, after unions had sought an audience for several months.
The government cited budget constraints and the cost of raising the index point.
The CFDT joined a call for a public-sector strike on 17 November.
- Who
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and public-sector unions.
- What
- The government rejected the unions’ main demand for an increase in the index point used to calculate public employees’ pay.
- When
- 13 November 2026.
- Where
- Matignon, Paris.
- Why
- The government cited budget constraints and the cost of the measure; unions sought higher pay to address lost purchasing power.
Public-sector unions
French government
Pay index point
Public-sector unions
Unions called for the index point to be increased and linked to inflation.
French government
The government rejected an increase.
Reason for position
Public-sector unions
Unions said higher pay was needed to offset lost purchasing power.
French government
The government cited constrained budgets and the cost of the measure.
A demonstration was held in Paris at the call of unions and youth organisations.
Public-sector unions met Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at Matignon and received no concrete advance on their main pay demand.
A public-sector strike was announced, with the CFDT joining the call.
- Meeting date
- 13 November 2026
- Meeting place
- Matignon
- Main demand
- Increase the public-sector pay index point
- Estimated cost
- A 1% increase would cost the state €2.4 billion
- Announced strike date
- 17 November
6 sources
La CFDT rejoint l'appel à la grève dans la fonction publique le 17 novembre, estimant que les propositions du gouvernement "ne constituent pas de véritables avancées"
Salaires des fonctionnaires : les mesures d’urgence du gouvernement jugées « insuffisantes » par les syndicats
Crise du pouvoir d’achat : la CFDT rejoint l'appel à la grève le 17 novembre
What people are saying
announcements completely out of step with the urgency of pay concerns and social anger
The gap in pay between grades is shrinking dangerously