The workers making Olympic gold medals want a shinier deal ahead of Paris 2024.
Unionized staff at the Monnaie de Paris, the French institution responsible for minting the country’s coins and official medals, have been on strike for the past three weeks, asking for greater recognition of their work as well as a Games-specific bonus.
“The Olympic medal is a gem,” David Faillenet, a representative for the Monnaie de Paris’ top union, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), told POLITICO. Faillenet described the meticulous work needed to produce the 2024 Games medals, each of which will be encrusted with a piece of the Eiffel Tower.
“We’re not using the Olympics to secure a bonus,” the unionist said. “It’s a craft challenge, and we want craftsmanship to be compensated at its rightful value.”
After staging a protest Monday at the French mint’s headquarters, the striking medal-makers will gather in front of the French economy ministry this Thursday.
“Medal production has not been halted; all medals have been struck and will be delivered on time,” the French mint said, adding that the CGT union had refused two proposals for Games-related bonuses and that only 0.44 percent of workers were currently on strike.
But Faillenet refuted his management’s claim about preparedness for the Games.
“Production has not yet started on certain categories of medals,” he said, predicting two likely outcomes if the union’s demands are not met: “medals which are not up to the necessary production standards,” or “delays in production which could lead to certain events being held without medals.”
“What matters isn’t the percentage of strikers, since those striking are the ones actually making the medals,” he said.
Strikes have been a concern for both the International Olympic Committee and the French authorities ahead of the July 26 Games opening ceremony. The Paris transport operator’s top union has already issued a multi-month strike notice, which includes the Olympic period, as a preventive measure to push management to start labor negotiations.
The head of the Paris 2024 Committee, Tony Estanguet, has asked for a strike-free “truce” during the Games, something CGT has rejected: “We won’t stop anyone from defending their rights,” CGT leader Sophie Binet said Tuesday during an interview with RTL.
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