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Sarkozy calls for end to strikes Sarkozy calls for end to strikes
(10 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a speedy end to transport strikes against his pension reforms.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a speedy end to transport strikes against his pension reforms.
His spokesman said the action ought to stop "in the interest of passengers" now that conditions for talks with the unions on the package had been created.His spokesman said the action ought to stop "in the interest of passengers" now that conditions for talks with the unions on the package had been created.
Rail and bus services were crippled in Wednesday's action over cuts affecting 500,000 public sector employees.Rail and bus services were crippled in Wednesday's action over cuts affecting 500,000 public sector employees.
Unions have voted to extend their protest for another 24 hours - with more disruption expected on Thursday.Unions have voted to extend their protest for another 24 hours - with more disruption expected on Thursday.
Hopes of a breakthrough were raised after Mr Sarkozy said conditions for talks had been met.Hopes of a breakthrough were raised after Mr Sarkozy said conditions for talks had been met.
"The president of the republic has always considered there is more to be gained for all parties in negotiation than in conflict," said Mr Sarkozy's spokesman David Martinon."The president of the republic has always considered there is more to be gained for all parties in negotiation than in conflict," said Mr Sarkozy's spokesman David Martinon.
The strike began on Tuesday night and follows a previous walkout on 18 October.The strike began on Tuesday night and follows a previous walkout on 18 October.
'Annoying millions''Annoying millions'
Prime Minister Francois Fillon was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying the government was outlining a deal to unions to stop "a strike that is... annoying millions of French people".Prime Minister Francois Fillon was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying the government was outlining a deal to unions to stop "a strike that is... annoying millions of French people".
Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand has been holding a series of meetings with unions, whose leaders signalled their readiness to make a deal.Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand has been holding a series of meetings with unions, whose leaders signalled their readiness to make a deal.
Jacques Voisin, head of the CFTC union, said after meeting the minister: "Let's not waste any time... let's negotiate."Jacques Voisin, head of the CFTC union, said after meeting the minister: "Let's not waste any time... let's negotiate."
'SPECIAL' PENSIONS Benefits 1.6m workers, including 1.1m retireesApplies in 16 sectors, of which rail and utilities employees make up 360,000 peopleAccount for 6% of total state pension paymentsShortfall costs state 5bn euros (£3.5bn; $6.9bn) a yearSome workers can retire on full pensions aged 50Awarded to Paris Opera House workers in 1698 by Louis XIV In pictures: French strikes Can street protests succeed? Solidarity amid French crisis'SPECIAL' PENSIONS Benefits 1.6m workers, including 1.1m retireesApplies in 16 sectors, of which rail and utilities employees make up 360,000 peopleAccount for 6% of total state pension paymentsShortfall costs state 5bn euros (£3.5bn; $6.9bn) a yearSome workers can retire on full pensions aged 50Awarded to Paris Opera House workers in 1698 by Louis XIV In pictures: French strikes Can street protests succeed? Solidarity amid French crisis
Bernard Thibault, head of the powerful CGT union, appeared to retreat from a previous demand for national talks by saying he would accept negotiations with management and government officials on a company-by-company basis. Bernard Thibault, head of the powerful CGT union, appeared to retreat from a previous demand for national talks by saying he would accept negotiations on a company-by-company basis.
In Paris on Wednesday, more than 50,000 people took to the streets to protest against Mr Sarkozy's reforms. Other demonstrations were held across France.In Paris on Wednesday, more than 50,000 people took to the streets to protest against Mr Sarkozy's reforms. Other demonstrations were held across France.
Nationwide fewer than a quarter of trains and only 90 of the 700 high-speed TGVs ran normally, while just one in five subway trains on the Paris metro and only 15% of bus services were operating.Nationwide fewer than a quarter of trains and only 90 of the 700 high-speed TGVs ran normally, while just one in five subway trains on the Paris metro and only 15% of bus services were operating.
Across France, commuters were forced to find other ways to get to work - car sharing, cycling or roller blading along traffic-choked roads.Across France, commuters were forced to find other ways to get to work - car sharing, cycling or roller blading along traffic-choked roads.
In Wednesday's other developments:
  • French electricity grid power output was down by 8,000 megawatts amid walkouts by EDF electricity and GDF gas workers
In Wednesday's other developments:
  • French electricity grid power output was down by 8,000 megawatts amid walkouts by EDF electricity and GDF gas workers
  • Shows at the Paris opera and Comedie Francaise were cancelled as performers joined the strikes
  • Shows at the Paris opera and Comedie Francaise were cancelled as performers joined the strikes
  • Thirty-five of France's 85 campuses were disrupted by blockades as students protested against a law letting universities accept private donations and charge tuition.
  • Thirty-five of France's 85 campuses were disrupted by blockades as students protested against a law letting universities accept private donations and charge tuition.
    • It is not clear if energy workers will continue to strike on Thursday, although they have voted to continue a blockade of the liquefied natural gas terminal at Fos-sur-Mer to Friday.It is not clear if energy workers will continue to strike on Thursday, although they have voted to continue a blockade of the liquefied natural gas terminal at Fos-sur-Mer to Friday.
    The last time a French government tried to overhaul "special" pensions was in 1995 and it sparked three weeks of strikes that forced then-president Jacques Chirac to climb down.The last time a French government tried to overhaul "special" pensions was in 1995 and it sparked three weeks of strikes that forced then-president Jacques Chirac to climb down.
    But the polls have so far broadly supported Mr Sarkozy, who says France can no longer afford to let some public service employees retire on a full pension as early as 50.But the polls have so far broadly supported Mr Sarkozy, who says France can no longer afford to let some public service employees retire on a full pension as early as 50.