Tony Estanguet does not want strikes during the Olympic Games.
The president of the organizing committee for the Paris Olympics was questioned this Wednesday morning in the Télématin program on France Télévisions on the question of a “social truce” during the competition while threats of strikes weigh on certain sectors.
“Yes, I want it, I want us to welcome the world in the best conditions and not spoil the party,” replied the head of the Games.
“I hope that we can find solutions for everyone who will work on the issues, we are well aware that there are constraints to the organization of the Games,” he added.
This threat of social conflict disrupting the smooth running of the Olympics was notably brandished by the leader of the LFI deputies Mathilde Panot in mid-February.
She actually encouraged the French to strike before and during the Olympic Games against a government “which only listens to the balance of power”.
“We cannot welcome the world without nuisance”
“I'm not completely surprised, the Olympic Games are an incredible platform,” said Tony Estanguet about this advice.
Negotiations have been underway for several months in different sectors to address a social conflict in the police, transport and hospitals in order to compensate for postponed vacations and summer overtime.
A bonus, up to 1,900 euros, was for example announced on January 30 by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin for police officers and gendarmes working in Île-de-France.
But the issue is not completely resolved in other sectors, and the threat persists.
🔴🗣️ An Olympic social truce?
“I wish it”
Tony Estanguet reacts to the words of Mathilde Panot who calls for strikes during the #OJ2024.
#Les4V @TonyEstanguet pic.twitter.com/xfgLhucJxL
— Telematin (@telematin) February 28, 2024
At the RATP, the CGT-RATP, the first union of the Parisian public transport company, notably filed a strike notice on February 5 until the end of the Paralympic Games, which will end on September 8.
“We cannot welcome the world with such ambition without having any nuisance,” recognized Tony Estanguet.
“Overall, people want to, play the game, will organize themselves so that this party is beautiful and we hope that it will be so until the end,” explained the three-time Olympic champion.
At the same time, invited on France Inter, the Minister of Transport Patrice Vergriete affirmed that he was “absolutely not” worried about potential strikes.