France is poised for shutdown in pensions strike

The Times ^ | May 12, 2003 | Charles Bremner

[MadIvan]

FRANCE is expected to come to a near-standstill tomorrow when public-sector workers strike in a show of force aimed at reversing the reform programme of President Chirac’s centre-right Government.

According to polls, nearly a quarter of the country’s six million public servants plan to take part in what the media have dubbed Mardi Noir (Black Tuesday). The one-day strike will disrupt ground and air transport and services ranging from schools and electricity to the Paris Opera and state broadcasting. Without state toll-takers, however, motorways will be free.

The strikers’ main grievance is a plan by Jean-Pierre Raffarin, M Chirac’s Prime Minister, to trim the privileges of les fonctionnaires to bring them into line with the retirement age of the three quarters of workers who are in France’s private sector.

Put simply, state employees will have to work three years longer than at present to qualify for retirement. Failure to reform will mean the collapse of the French pension system by 2020, experts say.

One year into M Chirac’s second presidential term, the “day of protest” is being cast as one of those periodic them-against-us trials of strength in which the people take to the streets against their rulers. The last such bout, in 1995, forced a U-turn and the subsequent electoral rout of the administration of Alain Juppé.

Hardline union leaders are talking about the need for expanding the protest into a general strike to halt the Government’s drive to modernise the economy through reform to pensions, healthcare and unemployment benefit. Militant branches of the private sector, such as metal-workers, are expected to join the protest.

The impact of unrest could be high, because France is teetering towards economic stagnation with fast-rising unemployment and a new spending freeze to rein in a swelling budget deficit.

Marc Blondel, leader of the big Force Ouvrière, said people’s rights were at stake. “I am not for all-out revolution, but if we allow the reforms to pensions and social security to pass, then the whole mechanism of national solidarity is thrown into question.”

Polls show that, in the French tradition, a majority of the country backs the public- sector strikers. However, the level of support, at about 55 per cent, is lower than usual. This reinforces the view that, despite general hostility towards any tinkering with the generous welfare state, the country has come round to accepting that the system is unsustainable. Polls show that about 70 per cent agree that some reform is necessary. The Government says that without reform, the pension system will be £34 billion in the red by 2020. It is taking comfort from the fact that France has been losing its appetite for downing tools. Days lost to strikes are now less than half of the level in the mid-1980s.

The last Socialist Government, led by Lionel Jospin, acknowledged the necessity for reform but flinched from action. M Raffarin said yesterday that big protests were inevitable when a Government enacted serious reform. “I am not worried because the French fully understand that this reform is a necessity. We cannot unload our problem on future generations.”

Unlike Britain and other European states, the French Government has rejected promoting individual investment-based pensions. In the name of “solidarity between generations”, it is to retain the system in which the state pays full pensions from the taxes of those in work.

Thousands of British travellers face disruption as French air traffic controllers join the strike. British Airways said that it expected quite a number of disrupted and cancelled flights and other carriers said that some aircraft would be grounded.

[MadIvan]

Remember, this is the country the Left thinks is paradise.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Rodney King]

Unlike Britain and other European states, the French Government has rejected promoting individual investment-based pensions. In the name of “solidarity between generations”, it is to retain the system in which the state pays full pensions from the taxes of those in work.

How does allowing the older generation screw the younger generation promote solidarity among generations?

[trebb]

Interesting that they decribe the government as "Center-Right"... I'd hate to see what they consider "Leftist"..

[freedumb2003]

>>Remember, this is the country the Left thinks is paradise. <<

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I love watching the Frogs shoot themselves in their knees on a regular basis.

Can you spell France in 10 years? V E N E Z U E L A!!

Thanks for the weekend horselaugh Ivan. I always look forward to your posts.

[McGavin999]

Let me get this straight. They are not raising the overall retirement age, they are merely raising the retirement age of state employees to the same level as private citizens? And the french people support this strike?

Good grief, this country is sliding toward 4th world status almost overnight.

[Gritty]

In the name of “solidarity between generations”, it is to retain the system in which the state pays full pensions from the taxes of those in work.

Yes, indeedy. That's the best idea! Let the politicians handle it - especially the French politicians.

They'll be fair and never pitch you overboard when the going gets rough! That ever-shrinking industrial base, ever-expanding socialist budget, aging population and burgeoning Muslim hordes will surely take care of your wistful retirement years.

Your retirements are safe, mon amis!

Safe.

[Drango]

FRANCE is expected to come to a near-standstill tomorrow when public-sector workers strike in a show of force aimed at reversing the reform programme of President Chirac’s centre-right Government.

*BREAKING* *BREAKING* this just in...

France has surrendered to the strikers.(g)

[aristeides]

Weren't the left and the unions making this kind of trouble in Britain right before Thatcher came to power?

[BushCountry]

France's population: 15-64 years:65% (male 19,345,269; female 19,322,902)

38 Million people capable of working.

Let see -- 12 % unemployment leaves 33 Million

6 Million of the 33 million workers are government employees for a whopping 20% of their workforce.

[Go Gordon]

FRANCE is expected to come to a near-standstill tomorrow when public-sector workers strike in a show of force aimed at reversing the reform programme of President Chirac’s centre-right Government.

What was Bremner smokin' before he wrote this article. There is nothing "Center-Right" in a socialist country.

[Lord Basil]

I lived in France for a short time in the mid 90s. It was in the middle of a campaign period for a national office. I remember one candidate being labeled "Conservative" (Chirac, I think) and the other "Liberal" (Jospin, I think) at the time. I looked at their positions and concluded that both were socialists.

Once during a group discussion, the group leader made the mistake of asking my opinion of the candidates. They couldn't believe my response. I thought some heads were going to explode from their trying to process my input.

[El Sordo]

Left/Right definitions go wacky once you cross the pond.

[Destro]

Um so Center-Right Chirac is a hero for standing up to the socialists? You need to work on the smearing techniques by picking more damning articles.

We should all praise Center-Lefty Blair and the Labour dominated UK?

[Destro]

Not really- what Chirac is doing--is classic Center-Right policy here or there.

[Bernard]

Just a tactical error on the French part. When they set this lucrative pension program up years ago, they probably counted on being conquered by the Germans again and having the whole system overthrown, so the bill would never come due. Imagine their surprise ...

[tet68]

Those jaunty french, always with the jokes, Mardi Noir!
Odd holidays they have over there.

[Dog Gone]

I looked at their positions and concluded that both were socialists.

Yes, indeed. If Chirac was a US Senator, he'd be Barbara Boxer.

[Alberta's Child]

Thousands of British travellers face disruption as French air traffic controllers join the strike.

Sounds like the folks in France's travel industry are making a great career move. Disrupting travel for foreigners wishing to visit France will be more devastating than a SARS outbreak in Paris.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I wouldn't have thought it possible but the french are devolving further.