Nicolas Sarkozy's iron will to face down trade unions and modernise France meets its first test today as a national strike threatens to paralyse public transport, shut down the Paris Opera and disrupt fans travelling to the Rugby World Cup.Dubbed "Black Thursday" by unions, Parisian commuters face at least 24 hours of chaos and cities across France will be left without viable transport as workers take to the streets for the first time over the president's reforms. Railway staff and other transport unions will lead 70 marches across France to protest at Mr Sarkozy's plans to axe the special pensions privileges enjoyed by certain state workers. These generous packages have allowed a number of employees at state-controlled companies to retire early on highly favourable terms. But Mr Sarkozy wants to end the special deals and streamline the costly state sector.The president claims he has the "political courage" to reform France's work practices and will not cave in to strikes as his predecessors have done.
Dubbed "Black Thursday" by unions, Parisian commuters face at least 24 hours of chaos and cities across France will be left without viable transport as workers take to the streets for the first time over the president's reforms.
Railway staff and other transport unions will lead 70 marches across France to protest at Mr Sarkozy's plans to axe the special pensions privileges enjoyed by certain state workers. These generous packages have allowed a number of employees at state-controlled companies to retire early on highly favourable terms. But Mr Sarkozy wants to end the special deals and streamline the costly state sector.
The president claims he has the "political courage" to reform France's work practices and will not cave in to strikes as his predecessors have done.
France is braced for chaos ahead of a strike which could severely disrupt public transport, in particular the country's railway network. Trade unions have called the strike in protest against the reform of special pension schemes enjoyed by a minority of state sector workers. The 24-hour strike is scheduled to start on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT). In the past, transport strikes have caused massive disruption in France. National railway company SNCF said only 46 out of 700 high-speed TGV trains would be in normal service.
Trade unions have called the strike in protest against the reform of special pension schemes enjoyed by a minority of state sector workers.
The 24-hour strike is scheduled to start on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT).
In the past, transport strikes have caused massive disruption in France.
National railway company SNCF said only 46 out of 700 high-speed TGV trains would be in normal service.
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