After the strike of November 5, Lecornu brings together unions and employers on Monday in Matignon

After the mobilisation of Thursday, November 5, 2026, Sébastien Lecornu will meet on Monday, November 9 in Matignon the organisations representing employees and employers. This "social conference", reported notably by Public Senate, Europe 1 and La Croix, is confirmed by a government statement: it must provide answers on purchasing power and wages. The appointment is fixed, but no upgrading is yet acquired. [S2] [S4] [S22] [S28] [S29]

A major mobilisation, two separate counts

The Ministry of Interior counts 575,000 demonstrators in 193 processions, including 65,000 in Paris. The CGT claims nearly 1.6 million participants, including 350,000 in the capital. These competing estimates are not a consensus range. Their takeover by several media is no more worth independent counting. [S3] [S22]

The figure of nearly 600,000 demonstrators, included in the first publications, corresponded to the provisional ministerial count of 5 p.m. The Cross then reports the figure of 575,000. This update explains some of the differences between articles, but not the difference with the CGT. The methods of counting are not detailed in these reports. [S2] [S22]

After three Saturdays of mobilization against expensive life, the unions called on public and private employees to strike. Young people mobilized for their study conditions and yellow vests joined them. The demands concern remuneration, but also the means of public services: the mobilization is not limited to the Smic. [S4] [S13]

Government clears track on Smic

The CFDT calls for an increase in the Smic of 100 euros net per month. The CGT calls for a 10% increase and indexation of all wages on prices. Both organizations wish to receive higher salaries than the minimum wage. These are claims, not amounts accepted by government or employers. [S2] [S4]

Friday 6 November, Jean-Pierre Farandou clarified the government's intentions on TF1, according to LCP: the Minister of Labour considers it important to try to cross the threshold of 1,500 euros net monthly for the Smic. However, he stressed that nothing had been achieved and stressed the need not to affect employment. This track, following the announcement of the conference, is therefore not a decision applicable to payroll. [S29]

The Minister also expressed his willingness to discuss with employers' organizations an adjustment of the cost of work. LCP recalls the opposition expressed on 27 October by Michel Picon, President of the Union of Proximity Enterprises, who fears the closures of small businesses in the event of an increase in the Smic. This is an employer alert, not a demonstrated effect of the proposals under discussion. For her part, Marylise Léon, Secretary General of the CFDT, maintains her demand of 100 euros net and waits more than just a boost. [S29]

Who negotiates, and for what individual results?

Jean-Pierre Farandou is due to finalize his consultations by Sunday. At the same time, David Amiel, Minister of Action and Public Accounts, continues discussions with representatives of public officials. Matignon's press release thus organizes the discussions without setting any amount, timetable or funding. [S2] [S28]

Beyond the Smic, the Minister of Labour wishes to raise by negotiation the conventional minima of the branches when they are below the minimum wage. It also refers to mandatory annual business negotiations. For employees, these different levels of discussion count: a national announcement does not guarantee everyone an identical increase. The modalities and cost allocation remain to be specified. [S4] [S29]

The collective protection sought by trade unions aims to support remuneration against prices; Government and employer reserves include employment and business expenses. The available elements do not allow the respective effects of advanced options to be quantified. The inter-union meeting plans to meet after Monday's meeting to decide on the follow-up to the mobilisation. [S2] [S29]

Freedom to demonstrate: disputed restrictions in court

In Paris, the trade unions challenged the Republic-Nation route proposed by the prefecture in place of Bastille-Concorde. The administrative court validated this alternative route, finding it neither inappropriate nor disproportionate. This remedy shows that the modalities imposed on a demonstration may be challenged; This decision alone does not affect the conditions of each police intervention during the day. [S22]

The Ministry of the Interior reports that the reported processions went well overall, while reporting at 1800 hours 448 arrests and 53 injured members of the security forces, in a still provisional assessment. RFI also reports police charges and protesters treated for head injuries in Paris. This information does not constitute a complete record of the injured or an assignment of individual responsibilities in each incident. [S16] [S22] [S13]