French Strikes Head Into Day 6

Some trains back in service as support for action flags
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 19, 2007 4:43 AM CST
French Strikes Head Into Day 6
Striking railway employees vote to renew the strike at a train maintenance engine shed in Lille, northern France, Friday Nov. 16, 2007. Wavering resolve by unions sapped some momentum from France's transport strike on its third full day Friday, while a standoff loomed over whether the walkout should...   (Associated Press)

The French transport strike headed into its sixth day today, with the unions losing some steam but hoping to hold out until tomorrow, when they will be reinforced by a separate strike of civil servants, lawyers and magistrates. Exasperated French commuters found some relief, as diminishing numbers of strikers meant more trains were running than last week. 

The strike has caused havoc, with massive traffic jams around Paris each day. Thousands turned out yesterday for an anti-strike protest in Paris, and French public opinion is generally against the rail and bus workers, who are striking to retain a special privilege of retiring earlier than other workers. Talks to resolve the conflict are due mid-week. (More France stories.)

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