Politics · France · 12 hrs ago
French scholars say reforms, not unions, explain declining union strength
French scholars have challenged economists who blame unions for social conflict.
They argue that reforms have weakened unions, rather than unions simply abandoning workplaces.
Ministry figures cited in the debate show that nearly three-quarters of companies with a labor dispute also held negotiations, compared with 16% of companies without a dispute.
Strikes have become uncommon: from 2008 to 2024, an average of 2% of private-sector companies had one or more collective work stoppages each year.
The scholars say striking can be too costly and risky for workers, so unions often use it only as a last resort.
They say government refusal to compromise has prompted strikes and protests, including during the 2023 pension dispute.
Three French specialists on trade unions argue that reforms targeting unions, rather than unions’ own actions, explain their weakness.
They reject economists Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg’s claim that unions have deserted workplaces and failed to channel social anger.
The specialists say conflict and negotiation often go together at work, and both are linked to union presence.
They report that strikes have declined: an average of 2% of private-sector companies had one or more collective stoppages each year from 2008 to 2024.
They say strikes can be too costly and risky for workers, and that government refusal to compromise led unions to organize strikes and demonstrations.
- Who
- Three union specialists, including political scientist Maxime Quijoux and sociologist Karel Yon, challenge economists Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg.
- What
- The specialists argue that reforms targeting unions, not unions’ own choices, explain their weakness.
- When
- The article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The specialists say reforms have weakened unions, while strikes are costly and risky for workers. They also cite public authorities’ refusal to compromise.
Union specialists
Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg
Cause of union weakness
Union specialists
Reforms targeting unions explain their weakness.
Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg
Unions have deserted companies and failed to play their role as intermediaries.
Workplace conflict
Union specialists
Conflict and negotiation often go together and are linked to union presence.
Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg
The economists’ argument, as presented by the specialists, says that a lack of negotiation allows conflict to take hold.
Economists Pierre Cahuc and André Zylberberg published an opinion piece in Le Monde proposing an analysis of the social crisis.
The labour ministry’s studies department published a note on workplace conflict and negotiations.
An average of 2% of private-sector companies experienced one or more collective work stoppages.
Le Monde published the specialists’ response.
- Article publication
- November 9, 2026
- Authors named
- Maxime Quijoux and Karel Yon
- Private-sector companies with collective stoppages
- Average 2% per year, 2008–2024
- Companies with workplace conflict that also negotiated
- Nearly three-quarters
- Companies with no workplace conflict that negotiated
- 16%
What people are saying
engaging in union activity today in France often means facing discrimination and repression