France faces transport chaos as unions test Sarkozy

France faces transport chaos as unions test Sarkozy

	Published : Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:40 By : Agencies Print this Story

PARIS Thomson Financial - French commuters face transport chaos today as rail and energy workers put President Nicolas Sarkozy's reform plans to the test with a 24 hour strike in defence of historic pensions privileges.

Nationwide rail traffic was at a near standstill with just 46 TGV fast trains running out of the normal 700, the state-owned operator SNCF said. Paris metro, bus and regional commuter networks laid on a skeleton service.

The civil air authority DGAC warned that some Paris flights could experience delays in the morning if staff have problems getting to work. Rail links into the capital from its two airports were also down.

Travellers were urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters made arrangements to take the day off or work from home. Others were planning car-shares, or counting on the capital's new 'Velib' self-service bicycle scheme.

The strike, which began Wednesday evening, came as France prepared to host Saturday's final of the rugby World Cup, with tens of thousands of British and South African fans expected in the capital.

But SNCF assured travellers from London that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would run today, with a normal service expected from Friday.

Street demonstrations were planned in some 60 towns and cities, as trade unions try to force Sarkozy to drop plans to reform France's so-called 'special' pension systems enjoyed by 1.6 mln rail, energy and other workers.

Invoking social equity, the president has begun moves to lengthen contribution periods for these workers from 37.5 years to 40, closer in line with other public and private sector employees. Currently some railway staff can retire on a full pension at the age of 50.

The protest movement is seen as the first major challenge to the head of state, who has promised a root-and-branch overhaul of the country's economy and society.

The last time a government tried to change the 'special' pensions regimes was in 1995, when then prime minister Alain Juppe was forced into a humiliating climbdown by three weeks of strikes and street protests.

Asked whether Thursday's protests could herald another mass movement like that of 1996, Prime Minister Francois Fillon quoted the Greek philosopher Heraclitus: 'No man ever steps in the same river twice.'

But Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation (CGT) said more strikes would take place unless the govenment amends its proposals.

tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com

jlw

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.