Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Million French March Over Reform (C'est dommage, massive strike cripples Chez Weasel!)
CNN ^ | May 13, 2003 | associated press

Posted on 05/13/2003 1:38:45 PM PDT by mountaineer

PARIS, France (AP) -- The French biked, walked or skated to work on Tuesday when hundreds of thousands of transport workers went on strike across the country, reducing air, train and bus service to a minimum and causing many travelers to cancel trips.

The strike was aimed at forcing the government of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to back away from reforming the troubled retirement system by requiring employees to work more years to qualify for pensions.

Police said more than one million protesting workers marched through France's major cities on Tuesday, while unions said the number was 2 million. In Paris, authorities said 70,000 took to the streets, but union leaders put that at 250,000.

The government has said it is open to discussion with unions about the details of the plan. But Social Affairs Minister Francois Fillon said the general direction of the reform was in the interest of all French workers and was already decided.

Government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope said the walkouts provided an occasion for officials to further inform the public about reform of the pension system, which officials predict will go bust in 20 years if not changed.

"Explain .... It's the key word for us in government on this day," Cope said. "If we don't carry out this reform, the system will collapse."

Teachers, post office workers, and employees of some private sector companies also walked off the job. With no delivery service, newspapers, too, fell victim to the "day of action."

Transport disruptions were massive. The national railway SNCF reported that nearly 60 percent of its employees stayed away from work, the highest participation rate for a railway strike since crippling shutdowns in 1995 that helped topple the government.

Metro and bus services were also cut to a minimum, meaning many had to walk or bike to work. The occasional train that ran was packed with commuters, and crowds on a platform at Paris' Saint Lazare station grew so large that some people were forced to jump onto the tracks to avoid the crush.

One in three high-speed TGV trains was running, but numerous destinations went without service, France-Info radio said. The Eurostar train service to London was reported running normally.

(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: frogs; surrender
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last
UPI reports:

... In Paris, between 50,000 and 250,000 protesters [That's a pretty wide range!] clogged streets. The boisterous but peaceful march began at Place de la Republic, on the Seine's Right Bank, and ended a few miles south.

Nurses, municipal workers, archaeologists [Zut! Not the archaeologists, too!] and teachers brandished banners denouncing the conservative [????] government of Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin.

[Whine alert ---] "Normally I should retire in four years, but if this government legislation passes, I'll have to work another two," said Paris nurse, Francoise Besserie, 51, who joined the demonstration with her 26-year-old daughter, Florence. "I've been a nurse for 18 years and I've had enough."

Nearby, therapist Jean-Victor Cahn, added his own criticism to the government pension plan.

"There's enough money to pay for retirement, but it's all going to support big business," said Cahn, 55. "I'm for the ordinary people getting a share."

But many economists -- not to mention the French government -- argue otherwise. Without drastic changes, they argue, France's pension system will go bankrupt bankrolling a growing number of longer-living retirees. full story

1 posted on 05/13/2003 1:38:45 PM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
"I'm for the ordinary people getting a share."
A share of what, precisely?--does wealth simply fall from the sky like a gentle summer rain in France?
2 posted on 05/13/2003 1:41:57 PM PDT by Asclepius (as above, so below)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
The whole problem will be solved by Jacque's plan to implement Sharia Law in France within the next couple of years. All French women will be required to stay at home creating a host of job opportunities for converted Frenchmen. Of course, tourism, movies and fashion will suffer declines, but hey, they will bring LeSac back into fashion.
3 posted on 05/13/2003 1:44:03 PM PDT by OpusatFR (Using pretentious arcane words to buttress your argument means you don't have one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Meanwhile, warmongering French send troops into Congo, story here.
4 posted on 05/13/2003 1:44:11 PM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Asclepius
If they think they have financial woes now, wait until the Iraqi oil money stops flowing in. Har har de har.
5 posted on 05/13/2003 1:46:00 PM PDT by Temple Owl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
Meanwhile:

PARIS - An international conference on intolerance opened yesterday with a stern warning that acts of hatred against Jews, particularly in Europe, have reached their highest level since World War II. ...

Attacks in France and Britain on Jewish schools, synagogues and cemeteries have coincided with heightened tensions in the Middle East. Many attacks in France have been blamed on young Muslims. full story

6 posted on 05/13/2003 1:48:02 PM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Temple Owl
Somehow, I doubt Saddam's going to repay Jacques for all that nuke technology and stuff.
7 posted on 05/13/2003 1:49:01 PM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
I'm afraid for France - even though I'm P.O.'ed at them. They are about to plunge into serious decay or anarchy at any time. This could very well lead to serious destruction of businesses, storefronts, and French society in general. And the people are pulling things the wrong way, yet do not realize it....
8 posted on 05/13/2003 1:52:04 PM PDT by mallardx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Asclepius
"...does wealth simply fall from the sky...?"

Socialist math says it does.

9 posted on 05/13/2003 1:52:35 PM PDT by Bonaparte
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
The Revolt of the Masses
10 posted on 05/13/2003 1:53:57 PM PDT by TheWillardHotel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mallardx
"This could very well lead to serious destruction of businesses, storefronts, and French society in general."

Really?? I think I'll drop the strikers a note of encouragement.

11 posted on 05/13/2003 1:54:52 PM PDT by Bonaparte
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
Wait until they share in the bankruptcy of their country. Those IMF requirements are painful.

Stupid socialists.
12 posted on 05/13/2003 1:56:07 PM PDT by JmyBryan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
The warmongering French. LoL!

How long do you think it will be before the French surrender?
13 posted on 05/13/2003 1:56:22 PM PDT by Radix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: mallardx
This could very well lead to serious destruction of businesses, storefronts, and French society in general.

This would be bad why?

14 posted on 05/13/2003 1:57:47 PM PDT by fourdeuce82d
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: mallardx
I agree with you. Until recently, I loved to visit France, loved their food, wine, etc. It was bad enough that they were socialists (e.g., the workers wanting manna from heaven from the government), but I also fear they have surrendered to the invading Muslims just as they did to the Nazis in 1940. Unless they deal with the thugs and terrorists to whom they've given safe haven, the French people are in for a rough time ahead.
15 posted on 05/13/2003 1:59:40 PM PDT by mountaineer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
"...... brandished banners denouncing the conservative [????] government of Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin."

That would be ",,,,,denouncing the conservative islamic government of PM Jean Pierre Raffarin."

16 posted on 05/13/2003 2:08:56 PM PDT by cookcounty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
Sliiiiiit! gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.

The sweet sound of European workers cutting their own throats. The European social democratic model of high taxation and economic stagnation is exactly what liberals want America to evolve toward. A guaranteed job requiring no real work, ten weeks of paid vacation for everybody, and somebody else to always pay the bill.

The longer they delude themselves the harder the price will be when it all comes crashing down. Then, you can look for a revival of real fascism and rule by the iron fist. It won't be pleasant.

17 posted on 05/13/2003 2:13:14 PM PDT by katana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer
My ex-girlfriend who lives in Paris told me that the French had protested for 35 hour work weeks. They got that and then protested again for 30 hour work weeks. With that mentality I can tell you right away where France is headed...
18 posted on 05/13/2003 2:16:02 PM PDT by DeuceTraveler
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JmyBryan
Wait until they share in the bankruptcy of their country. Those IMF requirements are painful.

If the day comes that France has to declare bankruptcy, would the EU be responsible for its debts?

19 posted on 05/13/2003 3:17:49 PM PDT by cpprfld
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: cpprfld
Excellent question.
20 posted on 05/13/2003 3:35:55 PM PDT by JmyBryan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson