French unions call for blockade of schools

GENEVA

French trade union confederation Intersyndicale Lyceenne, a federation of several unions from the education sector, urged high school students on Wednesday to blockade schools beginning Monday.

A statement said schools will be closed on Jan. 30, and the following Tuesday.

The federation urged a "blockade of all schools in the country on that day."

The demand comes as part of demonstrations against a controversial pension reform proposed by the government of President Emmanuel Macron.

"We must not give the government the slightest breathing space," said Intersyndicale. The union federation calls for "extending the blockades every day until victory" to "make the government give in."

The federation also urged students to demonstrate on the streets with teachers to abolish the reform.