There is a long tradition of militancy in France when it comes to jobs or anything that affects the rights of workers. I think that this is probably the first step to try to break the power of trade unions currently enjoy in France.
Britain was in a similar situation in 1980 with the trade unions can exert massive influence and control policy of the nation. Then came the now famous Miners 'Strike' that changed the political landscape in Britain forever. The police were deployed en masse against stikers and security services have been introduced to raise problems on picket lines and against union leaders, and the power of government was used to break the strike also rushed-through legislation anti- union.
Ironic then, that natural gas prices are now going through the roof when Britain abandoned 300 years worth of coal reserves to close the entire mining industry.
However, it worked for the government is concerned and the trade unions in Britain have all been sterilized effectively, their power went, enabling massive changes in climate in the UK.
For some, this became a double-edged sword. Long-term growth and economic stability is the main benefit for the whole country but the main downside is a higher unemployment (official figures are 'massaged') and greater poverty for most people. Today, approx. third of the UK population one hour require some form of state assistance to reach the minimum living standard set by the UK Government and European legislation, including many who work at low pay.
With the impending pension crisis dominates the horizon and the French public spending in France ever spiraling welfare, there is not much choice for the French government, in addition to break the unions grip 'on the country.
Expect to see a lot more violence and a general dissatisfaction with the will of the French government is opposed against the will of trade unions in the country.
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