French strikers demand protection from global storm

AFP
Thursday, January 29, 2009

More than a million French public sector workers staged a massive strike Thursday, as anger at President Nicolas Sarkozy’s handling of the economic crisis erupted in a day of protest.

Billed as a “Black Thursday,” the day of action failed to halt the Paris transport network, but support for the strike was significant, with 23 percent of France’s five million public sector workers downing tools.

Private sector managers reported a much lower level of strike participation in their businesses, but said many staff had taken the day off to avoid disruption on the suburban rail network.

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Many in France fear for their jobs in a crisis they blame on bankers and free market failures. They are demanding protection from layoffs, a boost to low wages and an end to public sector cutbacks.

Full story here.

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