STRIKE ACTION HAS LIMITED IMPACT ON FRENCH SKI RESORTS
15th February 2020
Last modified on May 15th, 2021
Unions are calling on workers to withdraw their labour over changes to the French unemployment system which they say will unfairly impact upon seasonal workers.
The action this month may affect ski lifts which unions said are expected to be disrupted for a few hours a day.
Hotels, restaurants and bars may be affected.
Rallies have already been held and leaflets handed out.
It was predicted by the unions that between a third and a quarter of ski lift staff may not work.
Others will be wearing ‘on strike’ armbands but will still be working.
The strike was initially planned as a one-day strike on Saturday 15th February.
We reported on it when it was announced in January.
One of the unions involved, FO, has decided to extend it to an indefinite action following the breakdown of talks with the government.
A team from PlanetSKI was in La Rosiere on Sunday, but there is little sign of any action or impact.
However ahead of the action the unions said their aim was not to disrupt people’s holidays.
A spokesman for the CGT said: “We are trying to raise awareness among tourists and not to disrupt their holidays”.
La Rosiere, France. Image © PlanetSKI.
La Rosiere, France. Image © PlanetSKI.
And readers have made these observations on the PlanetSKI Facebook page from elsewhere in the French Alps:
Facebook reaction
Unions have released a list of French ski resorts possibly be affected by strike action in February.
RESORTS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED
Savoie : Les Arcs, Tignes, La Plagne, Courchevel, Méribel Alpina, Val d’Isère, La Rosière, Val Fréjus, Val Cenis, Les Sybelles, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Valmorel, Tignes, Valloire, Les Karellis, St Colomban des Villards, Valmeinier, Savoie Grand Revard
Isère : Val d’Isère, Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d’Huez, Chamrousse.
Haute-Savoie: Chamonix, La Clusaz, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Flaine, Les Carroz, Megève, Grand Bornand, Val d’Arly
Hautes Alpes: La Meije, Serre Chevalier, Les Stations du Queyras, Risoul, Les Orres, Pra-Loup (04), Puy St Vincent, Orcières
Pyrénées: Grand Tourmalet, Ax Trois Domaines, Font Romeu, Piau Engaly, Cambre d’Aze, Porté Puymorens, Les Angles, Formiguères, Font Romeu Pyrénées 2000, Grand Tourmalet, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, Val Louron and Altiservice St Lary
Vosges: Gerardmer
Jura: Monts Jura
Massif Central: Le Lorian
Alpes du Sud: Montgenèvre, Serre Chevalier, Risoul, Vars, Val d’Allos
Val Thorens, France. Image © PlanetSKI.
Ski resorts depend on seasonal staff and it is claimed these type of workers will lose hundreds of Euros a month during the ‘off season’ under the new system.
It is claimed seasonal workers will lose 40% – 60% of their unemployment benefits.
Here at PlanetSKI we will be updating this story as we see the extent of the action across the French mountains.
