France's most powerful public sector union has threatened to disrupt the Paris Olympics by issuing a strike notice for most of the summer. The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) rejected a government offer of bonus payments of up to 1,500 euros for public sector staff who were asked to work during the Olympic Games.
The union said there would be no “Olympic truce” This raises the possibility of strikes during the Games, in sectors ranging from garbage collection to monuments and public hospitals. The issue is very delicate, in a country whose desire to transform the Olympics into a month of national grandeur collides with the deep attachment of its population to its sacred summer vacations. 15 million tourists are expected in France for the Games and the unions believe that President Emmanuel Macron will give in to their demands. The more moderate French Confederation of Workers (CFDT) refuses to support the strike and says it does not "want to spoil this festive moment" The government promises between 500 and 500 euros for bonuses, but the union is divided over whether or not to interrupt the Games.