The Art of Protest: An American Perspective on the French Retirement Strikes
The whole debacle started with a proposal by French left-wing president Emmanuel Macron to raise the age required to receive government retirement pension from 62 to 64. Given that you need to be 67 to receive your full social security pension in the United States, I was shocked to hear that this was even an issue. Now I am by no means a French legal expert, so I cannot speak much in depth of the debate on this issue. However, while retirement at 62 seems fanciful to me, I too would be furious if I had been promised it and then the president (who is quite wealthy) proposed taking it from me.
This was the general reaction of the French public, and they expressed their anger in the way that they knew best: strikes. However, French strikes are not quite the same as those seen in America. They are typically the first step of a bargaining process, rather than a last resort. Whereas American unions tend to hold out on declaring a strike in hopes that an agreement will be reached, the French public start with strikes, almost as a reminder to the government or powerful company that they are the ones who truly hold the power, often before negotiations are made. Thus, the moment the retirement reform was proposed, the French had taken to the streets in protest in Paris. This mass public movement overtook the entirety of France, and by January 19, a national strike was declared. Not a single tram was running in the city of Montpellier where I live. Few buses were running and most businesses were closed.
Another difference between French and American strikes that typically occur, is that French strikes have a declared end date. Whatever unions involved will declare a strike for a 24 or 72-hour period, and then business will resume as normal. This was the case at the beginning of the strikes. After a total shutdown on Thursday, everything was back up and running on Friday. However, the reason most strikes in France last a brief predetermined time is because they remind those in power of their place (in service of the people) and lead to successful bargaining and resolution. However, in this case, the French government did not stand down. Thus, another strike was announced the following week, and then the next, but the French government did not stand down, so the protests intensified.
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Abroad
By Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer
I know it’s cliché. I also understand that every study-abroad student ever has written something like this. However, I hope to give a more specific insight into study abroad at Regis as well as some general advice for travel in Europe. So, without further ado, here are 10 things I wish I knew before I studied abroad.
Community Cats: The Strays Living in Southern France
By: Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer
On August 31, I boarded a plane to the Paris Orly Airport to start my study abroad adventure. After almost 14 hours of travel and layover time, I finally reached my destination, Montpellier, a coastal city in the south of France. The weather, at least for the present moment, is almost tropical (brutally so, because very few buildings here have any air conditioning.) One in every five people in the city is a student, many of whom are international, much like myself. The city is easily navigable by public transport, and the plethora of mixing cultures makes it a perfect place to explore as a student.
When reflecting upon how I would continue to contribute to the Highlander, and the Regis community as a whole, I figured I would write articles documenting the study abroad experience with my tips, tricks, and insights into the journey of studying abroad. However, since arriving in Montpellier, the subject of the first article has shifted from what I had initially planned. So, rest assured, I will be writing What I wish I knew before I Studied Abroad: Part 1 of 803 shortly, but, for the time being, I am going to focus on the aspect of Montpellier culture that I have come into the closest and most frequent contact with, the savvy strays I have dubbed Community Cats.