Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Sabotage Cripples French Trains

Negotiations reopen, but fires, cable damage shut down network

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2007 6:53 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – France's transit strike turned ugly in its second week, as widespread sabotage to the country's high-speed rail network created huge delays to already crippled services. The Financial Times reports that while the majority of railway workers are now back on the job pending negotiations, fires and damaged cables have prevented the national rail service from returning to normal.

The head of the national rail company refused to speculate who was behind the "concerted campaign of sabotage" but regretted that more militant unions might try to damage the railway system. The acts occurred overnight across France, damaging miles of track on the TGV tracks. The leading transit unions, who meet with the country's labor minister today, have deplored the sabotage.

A coordinated sabotage campaign has prevented the French railway system from returning to normal.
A coordinated sabotage campaign has prevented the French railway system from returning to normal.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Striking railway employees raise their hands in a vote to renew the strike, as they block the trains maintenance depot in Lille, northern France, Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007. Long-awaited negotiations with striking transit workers began Wednesday, the eighth full day of a walkout that has paralyzed train traffic throughout France....
Striking railway employees raise their hands in a vote to renew the strike, as they block the trains maintenance depot in Lille, northern France, Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007. Long-awaited negotiations with...   (Associated Press)
French commuters try to board a crowded metro car, at the gare de l'Est station in Paris Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007, on the eighth day of strike by transports workers. The strike centers on a protest over President Nicolas Sarkozy's promise to strip away benefits that allow some public sector...
French commuters try to board a crowded metro car, at the gare de l'Est station in Paris Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007, on the eighth day of strike by transports workers. The strike centers on a protest over...   (Associated Press)
Passengers wait at the Marseille Saint Charles railway station, southern France, Tuesday Nov. 20, 2007.
Passengers wait at the Marseille Saint Charles railway station, southern France, Tuesday Nov. 20, 2007.   (Associated Press)
Striking railway employees raise their fists in a vote to renew the strike, as they block the trains maintenance depot in Lille, northern France, Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007. Long-awaited negotiations with striking transit workers began Wednesday, the eighth full day of a walkout that has paralyzed train traffic throughout France....
Striking railway employees raise their fists in a vote to renew the strike, as they block the trains maintenance depot in Lille, northern France, Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007. Long-awaited negotiations with...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Comment: the strike is a Sarkozy referendum
Wall Street Journal

 
France • transit strike

More Newser Stories

Crippling French Rail Strike Ends

End in Sight for French Strike

Sarko: 'No Surrender' to Strikers

Civil Servants Join French Strikes

Transit Strike Infuriates French
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne