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French transport unions take strike action over pensions
22 May 2008
Strike action by French rail and aviation unions is causing gridlock today in a dispute over pensions.
Unions representing workers employed by Air France KLM, the French rail company SNCF as well three Paris transport providers are out on strike over the government’s plans to reform pensions. The proposals will require workers to work for 41 years before they are entitled to claim their pension; they are currently able to retire after 40 years’ contributions.
Other public sector workers, such as teachers and civil servants, are expected to join the one-day protest.
The protest follows a dispute across the French fishing industry that was settled yesterday; fishers were protesting over rising fuel costs – the government agreed to a 310 million Euro (US$489 million) deal over two years; it was previously offering the same amount but over three years.
On Tuesday a 24-hour stoppage by railway workers in Belgium caused disruption to rail links from Brussels through Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The workers were in dispute over pay and conditions.
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