Strike vote at Paul-Eluard high school

Approximately half of the staff at the Paul-Eluard high school in Saint-Denis voted on Monday to support a strike that can be renewed "until the principal's departure," according to a statement published on social media. More than 80 of the approximately 200 people working at the school voted for the strike, according to the mobilized staff on their X account.

High participation in the vote

About two-thirds of the people normally working at the school on Monday participated in the vote, a professor told AFP. This level of participation indicates strong support among the staff for the strike and its continuation.

Previous police intervention at the school

Mid-October, during the student movement, the anti-criminality unit (Bac) intervened at the Seine-Saint-Denis school, with the principal's agreement, to question a student "who committed an insult," according to the police prefecture. This was part of a broader context of tensions at the school during the student protests.

Staff accuse administration of new pressure

However, "today, our hierarchy is taking a new step," the striking staff denounced. They said the administration is not responding to alerts or taking necessary measures to protect students and staff, but instead opening an administrative investigation, which they see as a new pressure tool against those who have mobilized.

Police attacked after entering school

Police officers were subjected to insults and violence in front of the high school. According to a letter reviewed by AFP, the General Inspection of Education, Sports and Research (IGESR) was informed by the minister's office of a request for an administrative investigation regarding the events that took place on October 15 at the school.

Details of the police incident

On that day, according to the prosecutor of Bobigny, "police officers from the Saint-Denis police station were subjected to insults and violence in front of the Paul-Eluard high school in Saint-Denis, as part of a blockade of the school." Three suspects were arrested, and a fourth had "fled inside the school," prompting the police to enter the school.

Investigation launched by the minister

Upon exiting, "the police officers were attacked and pushed by about fifty teachers and staff who prevented them from leaving the school with the minor who was questioned," the prosecutor said. The Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced the opening of an administrative investigation "in order to determine the sequence of events and the role of the various actors."

Staff demands include protection and contract renewals

In addition to the principal's departure, the mobilized staff is demanding the guarantee of no sanctions against staff and students who participated in the demonstrations and blockades, the abandonment of legal proceedings against the students, and the renewal of contracts for people on fixed-term contracts.