French police protest for better pay and conditions during Paris Olympics

Police in France are holding a “Black Thursday” of work stoppages and demonstrations to demand better pay and conditions during this summer’s Olympic Games.

Several police unions, led by the two largest, Alliance and Unsa Police, said there should be bonuses of up to €2,000 (£1,720) as well as guarantees of holiday leave and childcare support for police this summer.

The move came after one union received details from the interior ministry suggesting that every police officer in France would be mobilised during the two weeks of the Olympics, from 24 July to 11 August, and not be allowed to take holiday in that period.

French police would be allowed a total of 10 days’ holiday leave between 15 June and 15 September, but must otherwise be on duty. Many regional police expect to be relocated to Paris for the Games and want assurances on housing and working hours.

Police officers on duty on Wednesday night began mobilising outside some stations. Unions have called for “minimum activity” on Thursday – responding to calls, including emergencies, but not going out on standard patrols.

Sylvain André, from the Alliance police union in Strasbourg, told France Inter: “Today there is still no detail except that 100% of police will be working 24 July to 11 August and we know a local contingent will be moved from Strasbourg to Paris, about 30% of staff. So we want measures on childcare, because colleagues have children to look after; it will be the school holidays.

“We also [need details on] housing and logistics. We need to know: will we be able to take holidays? They have said 10 days but we don’t know if we can take that all at once. In 2023 we had an exceptional year with riots in June. Since the [terrorist] attacks of 2015, there has been the yellow vests crisis, the Covid crisis, all the reforms, the pensions law when a maximum of police had to be mobilised. Police are now asking when will they be able to rest?”

Unions have met the interior minister, Gérald Darmanin. A source in Darmanin’s entourage told Agence France-Presse that support measures for police would be finalised by the end of this month. The source said talks on remuneration and help with childcare had been “constructive”.

Up to €500m (£429m) could be set aside to deal with the issue.

The Alliance union said Thursday’s action was a first step and there could be more action as negotiations continue.