Paris after‑school staff strike continues despite mayor's €20 million plan

Around 620 Parisian schools have seen their after‑school staff on strike until 22 May, protesting the municipality’s “repressive” suspension policy that followed a wave of sexual‑abuse allegations. Since the start of the year, 78 city employees have been suspended, including 31 suspected of sexual offences against minors.

Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire apologized to parents, announced a €20 million programme to combat sexual violence in periscolaire settings, pledged to set up a dedicated council within schools, and promised a simplified reporting chain with a listening cell.

Unions, represented by Nicolas Léger, reject the measures as insufficient. “They admitted they went too far in the sanctions against ordinary educational violence,” Léger said, adding that staff still demand job‑security guarantees, the creation of a Category A directorate for after‑school services, and an end to automatic suspensions.

The strike began on a Monday, initially affecting dozens of schools and expected to involve about 200 schools. Protesters maintain their demands despite the mayor’s overtures, citing a climate of suspicion and chronic understaffing.