· Workers in walkout over president's reform plans
· Threat to pension rights triggers action
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
Thursday October 18, 2007
The Guardian
Nicolas Sarkozy's iron will to face down trade unions and modernise France meets its first test today as a national strike threatens to paralyse public transport, shut down the Paris Opera and disrupt fans travelling to the Rugby World Cup.
Dubbed "Black Thursday" by unions, Parisian commuters face at least 24 hours of chaos and cities across France will be left without viable transport as workers take to the streets for the first time over the president's reforms.
Railway staff and other transport unions will lead 70 marches across France to protest at Mr Sarkozy's plans to axe the special pensions privileges enjoyed by certain state workers. These generous packages have allowed a number of employees at state-controlled companies to retire early on highly favourable terms. But Mr Sarkozy wants to end the special deals and streamline the costly state sector.
The president claims he has the "political courage" to reform France's work practices and will not cave in to strikes as his predecessors have done.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2193253,00.html