Joe
PARIS, FRANCE — The 2024 Paris Olympics have already earned the nickname “The Strike Olympics” as workers at the luxurious Hotel du Collectionneur, where International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials are staying, staged a two-hour strike on Thursday morning.
Employees at the five-star hotel, including chefs and waitstaff, disrupted breakfast service and protested for overdue wage increases. The Union Departmentale CGT, representing the workers, released videos showing staff chanting, waving flags, and holding signs with messages like “Luxury hotel, poverty wages.”
The union claimed that the requested salary increases would amount to just a fraction of the 22 million euros ($23.9 million) paid by the IOC to rent the hotel for the Games. They criticized the allocation of funds, stating that the money went “directly into the boss’ pocket” instead of benefiting the workers.
Labor strikes are common in France, a country known for its frequent labor actions. This particular protest follows a series of negotiations that failed to satisfy the hotel staff. The union expressed pride in showcasing the French tradition of striking, hoping to highlight their plight to the international community during the Olympics.
This labor unrest is just one of many that have punctuated the lead-up to the Games. Various unions have leveraged the high-profile event to push for better wages and bonuses. Recent threats from dancers scheduled to perform at the Opening Ceremony led to last-minute negotiations, resulting in an additional $200 per performer.
With the Olympics officially beginning, the possibility of more strikes looms, potentially affecting the smooth running of the Games. French authorities remain vigilant, aiming to ensure the event proceeds without further disruptions.
