Centre Pompidou workers strike over job security during 2025-2030 closure

Since October 16, 2023, employees at the Centre Pompidou in Paris have engaged in intermittent strikes to advocate for job security amid the museum's scheduled five-year closure for asbestos removal and renovations, set from 2025 to 2030. This action has resulted in multiple closures and has expanded to include the Bibliothèque since late November. Workers are demanding that salaries remain unchanged and that they receive guarantees of reemployment. Rima Abdul Malak, the French Minister of Culture, has not issued any written assurances regarding staffing. Although museum director Laurent Le Bon has verbally assured workers of reinstatement, no formal commitments have been made. The €260 million renovation is anticipated to be completed by 2030, with construction commencing in early 2026. The strike notice will be in effect until January 15, 2024.