Striking Paris garbage collectors demand Olympic bonus

Piles of rubbish on a street near the Eiffel Tower during a strike of Paris garbage collectors over a controversial pension reform in March 2023. © Thomas Padilla/AP

Paris garbage collectors have gone on strike less than three months before the start of the Olympics to demand a bonus for working during the event. For months they have been demanding a wage increase, and the unions have filed a notice to strike during the Games if no deal is reached.

Rubbish is once again piling up on the streets of Paris after garbage collectors started a three-day strike Tuesday. They're planning another three days next week.