French workers at the national rail company, SNCF, have begun strike action against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to reform public-sector pensions. Workers from other sectors are expected to join them early on Thursday in a one-day protest to pressure Mr Sarkozy to reverse his economic reforms. Bus drivers nationwide were expected to strike, air service may be disrupted and about 50% of trains are to be cut. The strikes follow protests by fishermen that blocked French ports. High-speed international trains between Paris, London and Brussels were not expected to be affected by the SNCF workers' action. The transport workers are due to be joined by postal, utility and other public sector workers across France.
French workers at the national rail company, SNCF, have begun strike action against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to reform public-sector pensions.
Workers from other sectors are expected to join them early on Thursday in a one-day protest to pressure Mr Sarkozy to reverse his economic reforms.
Bus drivers nationwide were expected to strike, air service may be disrupted and about 50% of trains are to be cut.
The strikes follow protests by fishermen that blocked French ports.
High-speed international trains between Paris, London and Brussels were not expected to be affected by the SNCF workers' action.
The transport workers are due to be joined by postal, utility and other public sector workers across France.
Travellers face long delays in France today when transport workers stage a one-day stoppage after striking fishermen blocked Channel ports and disrupted petrol supplies for a day. Railway, Paris Métro and air controllers' unions are joining a 24-hour protest by civil service and private sector unions against a move by the Government to raise the retirement age by a year. Domestic rail services will be partially disrupted but Eurostar cross-Channel trains are expected to run on time. Only minor delays are expected to flights at Paris airports. In a separate action, Channel ferries came to a near-standstill yesterday after about a hundred fishing craft joined a national port blockade, obstructing terminals in Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk harbours. The fishermen later halted their action after President Sarkozy offered ¤
Travellers face long delays in France today when transport workers stage a one-day stoppage after striking fishermen blocked Channel ports and disrupted petrol supplies for a day.
Railway, Paris Métro and air controllers' unions are joining a 24-hour protest by civil service and private sector unions against a move by the Government to raise the retirement age by a year. Domestic rail services will be partially disrupted but Eurostar cross-Channel trains are expected to run on time. Only minor delays are expected to flights at Paris airports.
In a separate action, Channel ferries came to a near-standstill yesterday after about a hundred fishing craft joined a national port blockade, obstructing terminals in Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk harbours. The fishermen later halted their action after President Sarkozy offered ¤
A poll published by Libération shows that 60% of the French support today's strike action.
However, the one-way message people are hearing is so overwhelming that 49% believe it will not be possible to save the public system, and private retirement schemes will come in.
