French Go on Strike for a Day

Work action halts transport, mail, radio; Sarkozy stands firm
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted May 22, 2008 9:01 AM CDT
French Go on Strike for a Day
Thousands of civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike, in Marseille, southern France, Thursday, May 22, 2008. Civil servants are on strike against government plans to extend retirement contributions to 41 years.    (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

France's five largest unions have launched a coordinated strike that has crippled bus, train, and airport links across the country. The BBC reports that postal services have been reduced and public radio stations are playing music instead of regular programming. The unions are protesting an effort by Nicolas Sarkozy's administration to make them work one extra year—41 instead of 40—before receiving a full pension. (More France stories.)

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