FRANCE: Fuel production still halted at 10 French refineries as strikes continue ahead of final vote in parliament

Record ID: 572760

  • Title: FRANCE: Fuel production still halted at 10 French refineries as strikes continue ahead of final vote in parliament
  • Date: 28th October 2010
  • Summary: WORKERS FORCED TO RESUME WORK WALKING POLICEMEN NEAR PARKED POLICE VANS NEARBY WIDE OF WORKERS WITH CGT FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 12th November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVAC8NTBCM9ZUYV5PRM0DHUKRO5G
  • Story Text: Workers at the Total refinery in the French town of Grandpuits voted to continue their strike on Wednesday (October 27). The refinery has become a symbol of protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's controversial pension reform.
    Sarkozy moved closer to victory in his showdown with unions on Wednesday, with the final vote about to take place on the reform, strikes easing and street marches losing momentum.
    Local people had come out to support the striking workers, supplying food and drinks as well as moral support One supporter was teacher Jean-Baptiste Redde who organised a collection among school children and parents living as far as 60 kilometres away in Paris. They had managed to raise 4,200 euros, and brought 50 croissants to sustain the strikers.
    "We chose this refinery because it was the closest to Paris but we support all of them. We wanted to show support and we know that we are not the only people in France supporting the workers. All sorts of professions are represented," Redde said.
    Fuel shipments from Total's Grandpuits refinery near Paris had resumed on Friday after it was requisitioned by the authorities, although workers remained on strike.
    Sarkozy has kept a low profile this week as his reform to make people work two years longer for their pensions comes close to becoming law. It has sparked some of Europe's fiercest protests against deficit-cutting measures.
    ENDS.
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