Chirac tries to end France rail strike

[bemildred]

PARIS (Reuters) - French
President Jacques Chirac called for negotiations to end a nationwide rail strike that caused commuter chaos on Tuesday and poses a new threat to his government, just days after urban riots abated.

The strike, which began on Monday evening, disrupted trains across France as four trade unions at the SNCF railway operator pressed demands over pay and protested what they say will be a gradual privatization of the company.

Chirac reiterated promises that SNCF would not be privatized after the unions threatened to prolong the strike indefinitely if the government did not quickly address their concerns.

"SNCF, which is a brilliant French company and essential to France, is a public service that is absolutely indispensable to our country," Chirac told reporters.

Yahoo