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| France's rail strike 'nears end' | France's rail strike 'nears end' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| French commuters have endured a ninth day of travel chaos, but an end to a crippling strike by transport workers appears to be in sight, officials say. | French commuters have endured 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 42 out of 45 regional union committees have voted to return to work while talks with the government continue. | |
| Services on the main French rail network should approach normality over the weekend, according to SNCF. | |
| The strike was triggered by President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms. | The strike was triggered by President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms. |
| 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. | 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. |
| French Prime Minister Francois Fillon welcomed the unions' "responsible attitude" in calling for an end to the strikes and paid tribute to the "patience" of the French public. | |
| "The French have been painfully penalised by these strikes. Many have been through unacceptable misery. Some have made incredible efforts to get to work," he said | |
| Compromise offer | Compromise offer |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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'? | |
| SNCF also said that 42 out of 45 union committees across France had decided to suspend the industrial action. | SNCF also said that 42 out of 45 union committees across France had decided to suspend the industrial action. |
| So far this has not been confirmed by the unions. | So far this has not been confirmed by the unions. |
| But one union said the initial voting suggested that its members "should be heading towards a return to work". | But one union said the initial voting suggested that its members "should be heading towards a return to work". |
| "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. | "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. |
| Many union committees decided to return to work, SNCF said | |
| SNCF later said it expected that its services would continue to improve on Friday and would be almost normal at the weekend. And RATP predicted that 70% of trains on most lines, 75% of buses and 80% of trams would be running. | SNCF later said it expected that its services would continue to improve on Friday and would be almost normal at the weekend. And RATP predicted that 70% of trains on most lines, 75% of buses and 80% of trams would be running. |
| Meanwhile, the talks between the unions and government and management officials - that opened on Wednesday - have been continuing. | Meanwhile, the talks between the unions and government and management officials - that opened on Wednesday - have been continuing. |
| Only the hardline Sud Rail union has so far been refusing to take part in the talks. | Only the hardline Sud Rail union has so far been refusing to take 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. |
| The talks are expected to continue for up to a month. | The talks are expected to continue for up to a month. |
| Sabotage | Sabotage |
| Just hours before the talks began, arsonists sabotaged tracks and signal boxes on the TGV train network. | Just hours before the talks began, arsonists sabotaged tracks and signal boxes on the TGV train network. |
| 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. | 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. |
| President Sarkozy called for those who caused the damage to be punished with "extreme severity". | President Sarkozy called for those who caused the damage to be punished with "extreme severity". |
| He also urged protesters to go back to work, saying the strike had "already cost users - and strikers - so dear". | 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. | 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. |