The french police have been doing extra unpaid hours for a long time. Technically they are supposed to be able to get extra vacation as compensation (because they don't get payed on these hours except for anti riot units) but because of budgetary reasons and lack of manpower they aren't allowed to get their extra vacation days. Which means effectively they have been doing like 4 hours per week extra totally unpaid work (like slaves really) for the state.
[...] So it's no wonder many would have personal sentiments aligning with the revolting people.