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French railway workers take strike action in freight restructuring dispute
13 June 2008
Rail services across France faced disruption this week after workers went on strike in protest against restructuring plans.
Workers represented by three French rail unions walked out on Tuesday in a long-running dispute over plans by the state-owned rail company, SNCF, to restructure the freight industry, which it is claimed has led to some 8000 job losses since 2004. Half of national rail services were cancelled.
The unions have called another day of strike action on 17 June to demonstrate against government plans to change the 35-hour working week.
This week’s strike coincides with industrial unrest across other transport sectors in France predominantly over fuel prices: truckers have been blocking traffic close to the border with Spain, while fishers have over the past two weeks set up blockades in ports.
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