A national strike and demonstrations took place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the National Education sector, as part of a broader inter-union call from several public service unions, including CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGC, and FA-FP. The unions are demanding various salary-related measures, including a significant increase in the value of the index point, which is used to calculate basic salaries in the public sector, and aligning this index with inflation. They also want a revision of salary index grids to allow for career progression and the reinstatement of the individual purchasing power guarantee (GIPA), which would help compensate for the loss of purchasing power due to changes in index-based salaries. Other demands include maintaining 100% of the salary for staff on ordinary sick leave, abolishing the waiting day, and ensuring equality between men and women in terms of salary and professional opportunities. They also want the implementation of the European directive on salary transparency and the creation of new positions to improve working conditions, particularly for teachers and AESH (assistants for students with disabilities). In primary education, teachers responsible for a class must submit a strike intent declaration to their IEN (Inspection Académique) at least 48 hours before the strike. This declaration does not obligate them to strike, as they can still choose to work. Some staff, such as fully relieved principals, AESH, and teachers without a class, are not required to submit this declaration. In secondary education, teachers in middle and high schools are not required to submit an individual strike intent declaration 48 hours in advance. They can participate in the strike as long as they are covered by a strike notice. However, a strike day results in a deduction from the salary equivalent to one-thirtieth of the salary. The strike was called in response to the government's decision to freeze the index point, used to calculate the basic salary in the public sector, for the 2027 budget, marking the fourth year in a row of such a freeze. The unions argue that this freeze has led to a significant loss of purchasing power for public sector employees, with nearly one in six earning a base salary below the minimum wage, relying only on temporary allowances. The announcement of another freeze for the 2027 budget has been criticized by unions such as FSU-SNUipp as provocative. The unions are demanding a salary increase that matches inflation, including a net monthly increase of 300 euros for all staff in the National Education system. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 206,000 demonstrators participated in the strike, while the CGT reported 300,000 demonstrators across France, including 70,000 in Paris. The strike rate in the National Education system, according to the ministry, is 11.47% (13.71% of teachers), while the FSU-Snuipp estimated that 40% of primary school teachers were on strike. In secondary education, the strike rate according to the ministry is 12.74%, while the SNES-FSU estimates that 38% of staff in middle and high schools were on strike. The strike rate in school administrations reaches 27.39%, according to the ministry. The unions are also demanding the creation of a real civil service corps for AESH, with guaranteed full-time positions and appropriate training. Without these guarantees, staff turnover remains high, which can harm the relational stability that children need to progress. Defending the status of AESH is seen as defending an inclusive school where every student can benefit from human and secure support throughout the year. The mobilization on September 29 occurs in a context of overall budget savings aimed at the 2027 finance bill. In schools, as well as in middle and high schools, the elimination of positions and the increase in the number of students per class continue to degrade learning conditions. Municipal staff responsible for cafeteria and after-school activities share this observation of overburdening, which explains the sporadic closures of cafeterias and daycare centers observed during these strike days.