Garbage collectors' strike in Paris: despite the requisitions, the profession wants to remain mobilized

Romain Bitot, edited by Yanis Darras 07h39, March 16, 2023

The tug-of-war between the mayor of Paris and the government over the management of the movement of garbage collectors. The latter, like other professions, are demonstrating against the pension reform project desired by the government, and currently being debated in Parliament. At the request of Gérald Darmanin, the prefect of police of the capital announces requisitions of personnel, to try to improve the situation in the streets of the capital, while thousands of tons of waste accumulate along the Parisian sidewalks.

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However, on Wednesday, the mayor of the city Anne Hidalgo had refused to proceed with these requisitions, judging that it was not necessary to break the mobilization, which begins its 11th day this Thursday. But in front of the depot of the company Pizzorno Environnement in Vitry-Sur-Seine, in charge of collecting part of the waste of the inhabitants of the capital, the employees are preparing for the first requisitions.

Students at their side

But on the spot, where several rallies are organized, the state of mind remains "resistance". 'No pasarán' (they will not pass in English) is written on a black tarpaulin, in front of the locals. Two barnums were set up to welcome the protesters. Dressed in their yellow vests, the garbage collectors are not alone. At their side, students but also striking teachers, unionized or not.

In total, about fifty people are on the site and all the strikers are waiting in the next few minutes, a delegation of deputies of the Nupes, also opposed to the pension reform.