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Transit Strike Infuriates French

Sarkozy gamble may pay off as waits out unpopular strike

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2007 9:23 AM CST
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(Newser) – Anti-union sentiment rose as France's deeply unpopular transit strike entered its second day today, with most service on the national railways and the Paris metro  suspended. Evidence  is mounting, Reuters reports, that Nicolas Sarkozy will win this round, with union leaders already hinting at compromise, though they have not yet responded to the president's offer to negotiate.
 

Sarkozy has successfully taken the high ground on this dispute, portraying the end of special early pension privileges—57 1/2 instead of 60—for some workers as an act of social justice, bringing them in line with the rest of the population. "The unions are doing Sarkozy a fantastic favor," an economic historian told Reuters.

A man rides a scooter downtown Paris, on the second day of a strike by transport workers, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport workers slowed France to a crawl as unions and the government dug in for a pivotal standoff over President Nicolas Sarkozy's bid to strip away labor protections...
A man rides a scooter downtown Paris, on the second day of a strike by transport workers, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport workers slowed France to a crawl as unions and the government dug in...   (Associated Press)
Striking railway workers vote to renew the strike in Rennes, Brittany, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Transport workers shut down most rail traffic in France for a second full day Thursday, wearing down passengers forced to postpone trips and Parisians who had to walk or bike to work. French authorities made...
Striking railway workers vote to renew the strike in Rennes, Brittany, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Transport workers shut down most rail traffic in France for a second full day Thursday, wearing down passengers...   (Associated Press)
Policemen patrol on an empty platform, at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, on the second day of strike by transport workers, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport workers slowed France to a crawl as unions and the government dug in for a pivotal standoff over President Nicolas Sarkozy's bid...
Policemen patrol on an empty platform, at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, on the second day of strike by transport workers, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport workers slowed France to a crawl...   (Associated Press)
A woman runs on the tracks, as passengers walk on a crowded platform, on the second day of strike by transport workers, at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport workers slowed France to a crawl as unions and the government dug in for a...
A woman runs on the tracks, as passengers walk on a crowded platform, on the second day of strike by transport workers, at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, Thursday Nov. 15, 2007. Striking transport...   (Associated Press)
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Five Parisians react to the strikes
Guardian (UK)

What's suspended and what's running in Paris
AFP

Transport workers on the streets
BBC

Website with strike updates of France's labor minister (in French)
Xavier Bertrand

 
Nicolas Sarkozy • France • transit strike

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