French transport strikes losing momentum
The French transport strike appeared to be crumbling today as a steady trickle of drivers returned to work.
Talks over plans to reform retirement benefits produced no instant solution to the nine-day dispute which is seen as a crucial test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's greater plans for changing the country.
But they were seen as a step forward, and amid widespread passenger anger at the strikes, several groups of workers for the SNCF rail authority and RATP Paris public transit authority resumed work today.
While major union leaders agreed to a call to return to work, pockets of strikers remained, mostly train drivers.
About 540 of the usual 700 high-speed TGV trains were running nationwide, the SNCF said. Getting around Paris remained a challenge, with at least one commuter train line shut entirely and traffic "nearly nil" on a few subway lines.
Road traffic was improving, with 280 miles of traffic jams noted at 9am, near normal levels.
The transport strikes were triggered by Mr Sarkozy's plan to reform special retirement benefits for certain public sector workers. Under the reform, all workers will have to work for 40 years to qualify for full pensions compared to 37.5 years now.
The clash with unions over this reform is a symbolic first battle in the president's broader programme of economic and social change, which has prompted resistance in several sectors.
At yesterday's talks among rail unions and management, both sides agreed on a schedule for negotiations and a list of subjects to be covered in future meetings, union leaders said. The next meeting was set for Monday. The government has put a one-month deadline on the talks.
University students remained mobilised against the reforms, and planned protests at campuses nationwide, including a march starting at the Sorbonne in Paris.
They are protesting at a law passed earlier this year allowing universities more freedom to attract private funding and raise tuition.
