FRANCE: Trains and schools in across the country face minor disruptions as trade unions mount a day of protest against the government's austerity programme as it attempts to trim next year's budget deficit

Record ID: 340562

  • Title: FRANCE: Trains and schools in across the country face minor disruptions as trade unions mount a day of protest against the government's austerity programme as it attempts to trim next year's budget deficit
  • Date: 12th October 2011
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 11, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIORS GARE DU NORD TRAIN LEAVING METRO PASSENGERS RUSHING FOR TRAINS ESCALATORS, PASSENGERS RUSHING PASSENGERS GOING THROUGH TURNSTILES INFORMATION SCREENS WARNING OF DELAYS RER REGIONAL TRAIN, WORST HIT BY STRIKES PASSENGERS CROWDING ON TRAIN TRAIN LEAVING STATION EXTERIORS GARE DU NORD MARSEILLE, FRANCE (OCTOBE
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Employment,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAK1C7KAFS1RO4AH5H6DLHD1DR
  • Story Text: Public transportation and schools faced disruption in France on Tuesday (October 11), as trades unions staged a series of strikes to protest against the government's plans to save 11 billion euros from next year's budget.
    State railway SNCF said roughly one quarter of the country's high-speed trains would be either cancelled or delayed, with one out every three regional trains facing disruption. Underground railway services in Paris were largely unaffected, although there were heavy delays on the capital's express metro system, the RER.
    In the southern city of Marseille, some commuters were angered by the delays.
    "The SNCF in Marseille began the strike yesterday. One day before. Because we're in Marseille. No doubt it'll finish it one day later, tomorrow," said one irate traveller. "I think that public transport is a priority and that the state should ensure key functions."
    The strikes also affected schools, with many posting notices that canteen services would not be maintained, forcing parents to pick their children up from school, a huge burden for parents who had to take a day off from work at the last minute.
    "Luckily my husband took the day off so that he could come and collect them. Otherwise, when it happens, we do a deal with other mothers who are available at midday as I normally work. So there we go. It's pretty irritating, especially when there isn't the possibility to have a picnic for the children," said one mother.
    Demonstrations against the package of 10 billion euros of savings and one billion of spending cuts were expected to be held in more than 200 French towns and cities later on Tuesday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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