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French strike endures amid talks France's rail strike 'nears end'
(about 2 hours later)
French commuters are facing a ninth day of travel chaos as a country-wide strike by transport workers continues. French commuters are facing a ninth day of travel chaos, but an end to a crippling strike by transport workers appears to be in sight, officials say.
National rail operator SNCF said more trains were running, with support for the industrial action apparently dwindling among rail workers.National rail operator SNCF said more trains were running, with support for the industrial action apparently dwindling among rail workers.
Union leaders said some progress had been made in talks with government and management officials on Wednesday. It said 42 out of 45 union committees voted to return to work as talks with government officials continued.
But as talks began for the first time, arsonists sabotaged tracks and signal boxes on the high speed train network. The strike was triggered by President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms.
Signal boxes and electric cables running under railway tracks in several locations on the TGV network were set on fire early on Wednesday, causing even more delays to services already hard-hit by more than a week of strikes. Mr Sarkozy has vowed to press ahead with his plan to reform the "special" pension system that allows some 500,000 transport and utility workers to retire early.
President Nicolas Sarkozy called for those who caused the damage to be punished with "extreme severity". Compromise offer
Strike vote SNCF said two out of three TGV fast trains were running on Thursday, while Paris metro operator RATP reported that more than one train in three was in service.
The overnight vandalism was carried out as managers from SNCF and the Paris public transport operator, RATP, held lengthy meetings with union and government representatives in the capital to try to reach a compromise. Many union committees decided to return to work, SNCF said
There was no resolution to the crisis, but Didier Le Reste, head of the powerful CGT union's railway union division, said there had been a number of advances. SNCF also said that 42 out of 45 union committees across France had decided to suspend the industrial action.
This is ludicrous! They are all a bunch of lazy people, and I am personally both enraged and ashamed at their behaviour! Sophie PradereParis resident class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7105676.stm">French strikes: Your reaction class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7105804.stm">In pictures: Train 'sabotage' class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7104813.stm">Sarkozy: 'Thatcher moment'? So far this has not been confirmed by the unions.
The strike was set to continue, however, unless transport workers voted on Thursday to call it off. But one union said the initial voting suggested that its members "should be heading towards a return to work".
"I trust railway workers to take decisions that are appropriate," Mr Le Reste said. "We're heading towards a suspension [of the strike], it's only the form of action that's changing, the determination of the rail workers is intact," Daniel Tourlan, a member of the powerful CGT union was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The transport workers are striking over a government proposal to reform the "special" pension system that allows some 500,000 transport and utility workers to retire early. We're heading towards a suspension, it's only the form of action that's changing Daniel Tourlan, CGT union class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7105676.stm">French strikes: Your reaction class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7105804.stm">In pictures: Train 'sabotage' class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7104813.stm">Sarkozy: 'Thatcher moment'?
Meanwhile, the talks between the unions and government and management officials - that opened on Wednesday - are continuing.
Only the hardline Sud Rail union has so far been refusing to talk part in the talks.
The government says it will not back down over the reforms, but that it could offer incentives of salary rises and a top-up scheme for pensions.The government says it will not back down over the reforms, but that it could offer incentives of salary rises and a top-up scheme for pensions.
Mr Le Reste has predicted that the negotiations could last up to a month. The talks are expected to continue for up to a month.
President Sarkozy has urged protesters to go back to work, saying the strike had "already cost users - and strikers - so dear". Sabotage
He has repeatedly said the strikes will not push his programme of reforms off course. Just hours before the talks began, arsonists sabotaged tracks and signal boxes on the TGV train network.
There has already been a gradual drift back to work with nearly 80% of SNCF workers on the job on Wednesday, the company said. Signal boxes and electric cables running under railway tracks in several locations on the network were set on fire early on Wednesday, causing even more delays to services already hard-hit by more than a week of strikes.
Despite the vandalism to the TGV system, 400 of 700 of its regularly scheduled fast trains were running on Wednesday, SNCF said. President Sarkozy called for those who caused the damage to be punished with "extreme severity".
Some local union committees have already voted to end the strike. He also urged protesters to go back to work, saying the strike had "already cost users - and strikers - so dear".
Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has said the dispute is costing France up to 400m euros (£290m) a day in lost business.
Are you being affected by the strike, or are you taking part in it? Send us your comments on this story by filling out the form below.Are you being affected by the strike, or are you taking part in it? Send us your comments on this story by filling out the form below.
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