FRANCE: TRAIN STRIKE CALLED IN PARIS TO PROTEST AGAINST ATTACKS ON RAIL STAFF SPREADS TO NORTH OF COUNTRY

Record ID: 342138

  • Title: FRANCE: TRAIN STRIKE CALLED IN PARIS TO PROTEST AGAINST ATTACKS ON RAIL STAFF SPREADS TO NORTH OF COUNTRY
  • Date: 9th October 1998
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 9, 1998) 1. WS EXTERIOR GARE DE L'EST 0.06 2. WS ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE BOARD SHOWING NO TRAINS RUNNING 0.11 3. SCU/LV/SV ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUATION OF THE STRIKE/ PEOPLE WAITING IN STATION (3 SHOTS) 0.32 4. SCU WOMAN SAYING "IT'S NORMAL...THEY HAVE REASON FOR IT. I JUST WON'T GO TO WORK TODAY. IT DOESN'T MATTER, I'LL GO BACK HOME. WE DON'T HAVE TRAINS, NOTHING IS HAPPENING. I'M GOING TO TAKE A DAY OFF. (FRENCH) 0.56 5. SV INFORMATION BOARD/PEOPLE WAITING (2 SHOTS) 1.07 6. SCU MAN SAYING " I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE REASONS FOR THE STRIKE -- SECURITY IS IMPORTANT. BUT THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION. I'M JUST TRYING TO STAY COOL AND CALM." (FRENCH) 1.28 7. VARIOUS EMPTY RAILS AND PLATFORMS (3 SHOTS) 1.52 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th October 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • City:
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA5PG6TL9ZGU4730OWDJP2Q53TL
  • Story Text: A train strike in Paris called in protest against attacks on rail staff has spread to the north of France despite promises from Prime Minister Lionel Jospin of a crackdown against violence in public transport.

    Suburban commuter traffic in Paris was paralysed for a fourth straight day on Friday (October 9) across a number of train stations and, for the first time, the protest was joined by workers in the northern region around Calais, hitting mainline and local services.

    Unions in Paris were due to meet later on Friday to decide whether to return to work after Jospin made a rare live television appearance on Thursday evening to outline measures aimed at protecting rail workers.

    These included increasing penalties for violence on trains and in stations, and giving transport employees limited police powers to help them fight back.

    Commuters at the paralysed Gare de l'Est said they understood why the rail workers were striking.Most said they would just stay at home and not try to find other means of getting to work.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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