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| France hit by transport strike | France hit by transport strike |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers in France has left the country with drastically reduced train, bus and metro services. | A nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers in France has left the country with drastically reduced train, bus and metro services. |
| Trade unions held protests in dozens of towns and cities in their campaign to protect a pension system enjoyed by 1.6 million rail, energy and other workers. | Trade unions held protests in dozens of towns and cities in their campaign to protect a pension system enjoyed by 1.6 million rail, energy and other workers. |
| Reports say some of the unions involved in the strike were considering extending it by 24 hours. | Reports say some of the unions involved in the strike were considering extending it by 24 hours. |
| The strike will test President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve on reforms. | The strike will test President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve on reforms. |
| It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final. | It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final. |
| The strike began late on Wednesday, and travellers were urged to postpone their journeys, take the day off or work from home. | The strike began late on Wednesday, and travellers were urged to postpone their journeys, take the day off or work from home. |
| Velib demand | Velib demand |
| In the capital, Paris, three out of 14 subway lines were shut, and only one subway train in 10 was running on most lines, the RATP transport authority said. | In the capital, Paris, three out of 14 subway lines were shut, and only one subway train in 10 was running on most lines, the RATP transport authority said. |
| Cars clogged Paris' streets earlier than usual, and the city's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme recorded twice as many users as on a normal day. | Cars clogged Paris' streets earlier than usual, and the city's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme recorded twice as many users as on a normal day. |
| PENSION SYSTEM President Sarkozy pledged to phase out special regimes during his election campaignSpecial regime employees work 37.5 years instead of 40 to receive a full pensionCost to the French taxpayer is an estimated 5bn euros (£3.5bn, $7bn) this year Have you been affected? class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7050674.stm">In pictures: Transport strike | |
| Several commuter rail lines were closed, while platforms for those still running were unusually empty. | Several commuter rail lines were closed, while platforms for those still running were unusually empty. |
| With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority warned 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 warned that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work. |
| Bus and tram services faced disruption in 27 major cities, and just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said. | Bus and tram services faced disruption in 27 major cities, and just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said. |
| Highways around the capital were reported to be unusually empty. | Highways around the capital were reported to be unusually empty. |
| The national road information service said that at 0800 (0600GMT), there were only 76km (47 miles) of traffic jams, down from 157km (97 miles) on an average Thursday. | The national road information service said that at 0800 (0600GMT), there were only 76km (47 miles) of traffic jams, down from 157km (97 miles) on an average Thursday. |
| But the SNCF has sought to reassure rugby fans travelling from London for the final between England and South Africa that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday. | But the SNCF has sought to reassure rugby fans travelling from London for the final between England and South Africa 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. |
| Paris metro trains were packed at rush hour | Paris metro trains were packed at rush hour |
| 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. |