Security forces strike for safe Olympic Games in Paris

Thousands of security guards responsible for the safety of the Paris Olympic Games will go on strike on June 28, 2024, protesting against dangerous working conditions.

The strike was publicly announced by the CFDT union and declared to the prefecture. Private security guards generally do not require advance notice, except at airports for public services for which a notice has been submitted. The demonstration will take place in front of the Ministry of Labor (14 Avenue Duquesne, 75007 PARIS). The CFDT has requested a meeting with the Minister of Labor as part of this mobilization.

Michala Lafferty, Head of Real Estate Services at UNI Global Unionn said: “The French government must take the concerns of unions and security personnel seriously if it wants to ensure a safe and smooth Olympic Games. Security personnel need sufficient rest and training. We support our French member unions in their fight for decent working conditions for security personnel..”

The strike affects employees in the private security sector, including those who work for companies such as Securitas, Fiducial and others in the sector. The strike is initially scheduled for June 28, followed by further strikes every Sunday during the Olympic Games.

Workers’ demands include wage increases and bonuses for night and Sunday work. They also demand the application of a special decree for the 2024 Olympic Games on exceptions to weekly rest periods.

The application of the special decree for the 2024 Olympic Games on exemptions from weekly rest periods represents an additional burden that must be offset, says the union. There is a fear that this measure will become permanent if workers are considered efficient. The health risk is significant, as difficult conditions could lead to an increase in sick leave among workers.

Aurélie Flisar, Deputy Secretary General of the CFDT, said: “The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are proclaimed to be a socially and environmentally responsible event. This requires, in principle, consultation with all stakeholders, including unions. Yet, as during Covid-19, essential workers such as security guards are ignored, despite being responsible for the safety of thousands of athletes and 14 million visitors. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, we have not been able to meet with Minister of Labour Catherine Vautrin to express our concerns, and employers’ associations remain deaf to our demands. That is why we have no choice but to call for a strike on June 28, 2024, one month before the Games. There is still time to resolve these issues.“

A government decree of November 2023 allows employers to make their employees work for a month without rest. This means that security guards would work seven days a week during the Olympic Games, which would seriously endanger their health and their ability to ensure the safety of 14 million visitors due to long working hours in high temperatures. This decree violates international standards such as Article L3132-5 of European law and ILO Convention No. 106.

There is still a shortage of 20,000 security guards. Instead of improving working conditions to attract workers, the government announced that it would call up retired security guards and reduce the regular training period from 175 to 106 hours to “participate in private security activities at major events.” Unions also fear that these exceptions will become the norm even after the Games.

The Games will take place just weeks after the parliamentary elections in a very tense political environment. Forecasts suggest that the far right, led by Marine Le Pen, could win the majority, potentially leading to demonstrations and confrontations in the streets of Paris. To ensure the safety of Parisians and their visitors, a well-rested and well-trained workforce is essential.

Amel Bouhdjar, federal secretary of the CGT, said: “The Olympic Games must be safe for everyone, including the essential workers who make them possible. As the Games approach, we are facing a very contentious election that, regardless of the outcome, will lead to mobilizations in the streets of Paris before, during and after the Games. In this situation, we need a fully trained and rested workforce to make the Games as safe as possible and run as smoothly as possible. This requires the government and organizers to listen to us and sit down with us.”