FRANCE: French transport workers strike with trains planes and buses hit

Record ID: 339939

  • Title: FRANCE: French transport workers strike with trains planes and buses hit
  • Date: 25th June 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 24, 2010) (REUTERS) CONCOURSE AT ST LAZARE STATION INFORMATION PANEL WARNING TRAVELLERS OF HEAVY DISRUPTIONS PEOPLE LOOKING AT NOTICE BOARDS EMPTY TRAIN, PEOPLE WAITING FOR SERVICE PEOPLE WATCHING CROWD GETTING OFF TRAIN THAT ARRIVED PEOPLE WATCHING EMPTY TRAIN (SOUNDBITE) (French) MRS BELLOLATO, PARIS COMMUTER, SAYING: "They are taking us ho
  • Embargoed: 10th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA1KS26BTH76RIW3IJYB1IPQ4D2
  • Story Text: VFrench commuters faced heavy delays on Thursday (June 24) as up to 50 percent of trains were cancelled due to nation-wide strikes called by unions to protest against government plans to hike the retirement age.
    French media said that up to 50 percent of high-speed services were impacted by the stoppages, called by the country's four main trades unions against plans to raise the age at which one can stop work to 62 by 2018.
    Disruption to train services were the most visible symptom of the industrial action, which is also impacting schools and government offices.
    Parisians are no strangers to strikes, which take place about every six weeks. But early indications were that Thursday's stoppages were having a greater impact than usual and while individuals supported their aims, most expressed anger at the disruption.
    "They are taking us hostage everyday, this is such a pity. They are well paid. They are cosy. This is not acceptable. We should prevent them from going on strike," said commuter Mrs Bellolato.
    "It's completely ridiculous. They shouldn't be allowed to strike," added fellow commuter Fabrice Amini.
    But some supported the action.
    "They're right. They're right. They're right to defend their patch. I approve," said commuter, Collette.
    Union leaders hope at least one million people, and possibly more, will march in more than 200 demonstrations.
    "We hope to put more than a million people on the streets. I think this figure will be surpassed. Maybe two (million)," said Francois Chereque, Secretary-General of the CFDT (French Democratic Confederation of Labour) union.
    Thursday's stoppages were the first big test for the government of President Nicolas Sarkozy, which believes the nation needs to reform its generous pension system or face bankruptcy.
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