What?! The FRENCH are striking?

So last week was apparently a good week to miss class- the french are striking again. Last year the national workers strike affected me in that there were no trains to go to work. This year, since its the students who are striking, I dont have class. Apparently all the hype started last week (when I was so convieniently on vacation) and some of my classes didnt take place. But I go to class monday morning and lo and behold the doors to my building, yes mine, not the others, are locked with chains and blocked with desks and chairs. I think, okay, I'll get in downstairs. Not happening. Students are hanging out handing out flyers about their cause (to be clarified) and are making sure no one gets in. Rumor has it I wont have class for the rest of this week. Normally I would be jumping up and down at this information, but alas, these classes must be made up and that will probably happen during our much needed revision week. blah.

So WHY are the French students striking? To try to make it short, in France when you get a job you have a few month trial period where your prospective employers can fire you at will. But, once they officially hire you, according to the french socialist society i live in (not really, but kinda in this case) they are basically stuck with you for life. The government is imposing a new law saying that they want this trial period to last a few YEARS instead for people under 26- this means all the graduating students. Until someone gets hired on for real to a job, their lives are quite unstable bc they can be fired at anytime, they cant rent an appt. w/o a contract, etc. (French people, correct me if this is wrong.) So there you go.