- Title: FRANCE: Union protests start
- Date: 19th March 2009
- Summary: COMMUTERS WALKING ON PLATFORM
- Embargoed: 3rd April 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: France
- Country: France
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA71F7O25G20SHVI3KJNBRVX5N4
- Story Text: French railway workers walked off their jobs late Wednesday (March 19) to kick off 24 hours of nationwide strikes and protests called by the country's main unions to denounce President Nicolas Sarkozy's handling of the economy.
Up to 2.5 million people took to the streets on a first such day of action on January 29 and union leaders hope even more demonstrators turn out at some 200 rallies planned for Thursday (March 20) The union protests started at 8.00 p.m. (1900 GMT) on the transport networks, with the national rail company SNCF predicting that 40 percent of high speed trains would be cancelled and up to 60 percent of local train traffic.
Opinion polls say around 75 percent of voters back the protest movement, posing Sarkozy his toughest challenge since he took office in May 2007.
The unions have presented a long shopping list of demands, including a boost to poorer paid salaries, more measures to protect employment, a tax hike for high earners and a halt to planned job cuts in the public sector.
French commuters who have learned to live with strikes, find ways around the disruptions:
"There are fewer trains but it's not too bad for this evening, we'll see what happens tomorrow especially with trains from the outskirts of Paris which are often affected. Paris metros should pose no problem but we'll see for the rest in the morning".
But for one passenger, it's a strike too many:
"I agree on the basis of it but too much is too much. There are strikes too often in the transport sector and we have to put up with them".
But despite the delays, commuters are in favour of the demonstrations:
"I support the movement because I don't agree with what the government is doing and want things to move."
The government has introduced a 26 billion euro ($34 billion) stimulus plan aimed at investment and after the Jan. 29 strike Sarkozy offered up to
65 billion euros of additional aid, primarily to help vulnerable households weather the storm.
French commuters who have learned to live with strikes, find ways around the disruptions: Airports, schools, buses, government offices and some private companies will also be hit on Thursday, but as in January, the country is not expected to grind to a halt. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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