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Crippling French Rail Strike Ends

Service resumes after 9 days

By Rob Wagner,  Newser User

Posted Nov 23, 2007 3:11 PM CST
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(Newser) – The 9-day French rail strike that left thousands of commuters stranded ended today with a whimper, reports the New York Times. All but 2% of the striking transit workers returned to work, and government and transit officials promised reimbursements for commuters inconvenienced by the unpopular action. "Commuters can take no more," Le Parisien newspaper said.

The result is a victory for Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposed keeping the eligibility age for retirement privileges at age of 50 or 55. Nearly 70% of  the French have no such benefits and don't sympathize with rail workers. Negotiations between management and the principal unions will extend into next month, with the threat of renewed job actions if talks don't move the situation forward.

Civil servants, holding a banner reading Earning power, demonstrate in Toulouse, southwestern France last Tuesday. Civil servants, ranging from teachers to postal workers, began a mass walkout across France on Tuesday, the seventh day of a transport strike that has caused havoc on French rail networks. But the government said...
Civil servants, holding a banner reading "Earning power", demonstrate in Toulouse, southwestern France last Tuesday. Civil servants, ranging from teachers to postal workers, began a mass walkout across...   (Associated Press)
Striking railway workers listen to speeches before voting to suspend the strike near Bayonne railway station, southwestern France today on the ninth day of strike by transports workers. France's national rail company says initial votes by striking workers suggest a large majority is electing to return to work. (AP Photo/Bob...
Striking railway workers listen to speeches before voting to suspend the strike near Bayonne railway station, southwestern France today on the ninth day of strike by transports workers. France's national...   (Associated Press)
Striking railway workers vote to suspend the strike near Bayonne railway station, southwestern France today, on the ninth day of strike by transports workers. France's national rail company says initial votes by striking workers suggest a large majority is electing to return to work. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Striking railway workers vote to suspend the strike near Bayonne railway station, southwestern France today, on the ninth day of strike by transports workers. France's national rail company says initial...   (Associated Press)
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Transit Workers Wage 'Campaign of Sabotage'
Moscow News

Sarkozy Pays the Price
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Sarkozy Poised for Work Practices Breakthrough
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France • transit strike • rail workers

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