This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7050123.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| France wakes to transport misery | France wakes to transport misery |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| France is facing a nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers that has left the country with almost no train, bus or metro services. | |
| The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT). | The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT). |
| It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges. | It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges. |
| It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, with thousands of fans arriving in Paris. | It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, with thousands of fans arriving in Paris. |
| Trade unions plan to hold street demonstrations in some 60 towns and cities in their campaign to protect pension systems enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers. | Trade unions plan to hold street demonstrations in some 60 towns and cities in their campaign to protect pension systems enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers. |
| Just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said. | Just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said. |
| Mr Sarkozy has vowed to phase out 'special regimes'In Paris, metro, bus and regional commuter networks are laying on a skeleton service. | Mr Sarkozy has vowed to phase out 'special regimes'In Paris, metro, bus and regional commuter networks are laying on a skeleton service. |
| With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority was warning that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work. | With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority was warning that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work. |
| Travellers have been urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters have made arrangements to take the day off or work from home, the French news agency AFP reports. | Travellers have been urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters have made arrangements to take the day off or work from home, the French news agency AFP reports. |
| Others were planning car-shares or to use the capital's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme. | Others were planning car-shares or to use the capital's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme. |
| With commuters relying on their cars, traffic bottlenecks were expected as early as 0530 on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said. | With commuters relying on their cars, traffic bottlenecks were expected as early as 0530 on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said. |
| But the SNCF sought to reassure England rugby fans that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday. | But the SNCF sought to reassure England rugby fans that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday. |
| 'Calmly but firmly' | 'Calmly but firmly' |
| Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow. | Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow. |
| Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added. | Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added. |
| However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable". | However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable". |
| Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly". | Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly". |
| Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees. | Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees. |
| Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50. | Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50. |
| The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year. | The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year. |