Employees at the UGC Ciné Cité des Halles in Paris began a strike on Saturday, March 1, 2026, citing unacceptable working conditions and a growing problem with bedbugs in the cinema complex. The strike action follows reports of both verbal and physical aggression directed at staff by patrons, according to a statement released by union representatives.
The conditions described by workers are “hallucinatory,” with staff regularly facing verbal and physical assaults from moviegoers. The frequency of these incidents has created a hostile work environment, prompting the industrial action. According to France’s National Institute of Research and Safety (INRS), approximately 12% of French employees experience aggression in the workplace annually.
The strike coincides with broader concerns about workplace violence and the responsibilities of employers to ensure employee safety. A legal guide published by CERF details the rights of employees who are victims of aggression at work, outlining available recourse and potential sanctions for aggressors. The guide emphasizes that workplace aggression extends beyond simple professional disagreements to include physical attacks, repeated insults, harassment, and threats.
The INRS reports that nearly three-quarters of the French workforce are in roles that expose them to potential violence from the public, whether in person, by phone, or via email. Fifteen percent of employees reported experiencing verbal aggression from the public in the last year, while 2% reported physical or sexual assault. The INRS data also indicates that women are more likely than men to experience verbal, physical, or sexual aggression, although variations exist across different sectors.
Legal experts note that employers have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their employees, even in situations involving interactions with the public. A recent analysis by Abeille Law highlights that failure to implement preventative measures against aggression can lead to employer liability. The obligation of security requires employers to accept steps to prevent aggression and altercations between employees, and customers.
As of Sunday, March 1, 2026, UGC management had not issued a public response to the strike or the allegations of unsafe working conditions. Negotiations between union representatives and cinema management are scheduled to begin on March 3rd.
