French unions appear to capitulate tp Sarkozy
A transport strike that has crippled France for nine days in open defiance of President Nicolas Sarkozy's reform agenda was in its last gasp Thursday as rail workers around the country voted "yes" to return to the job.France is still a long way from sanity on labor and pension issues. I am sure Sarkozy will have many fights ahead, but it appears that the people backed him instead of the union this time which is a start. Hat tip Larwyn.The collapse of the strikes a day after the start of negotiations suggested defeat for labor unions — and could clear the way for the president's ambitious program to retool France.
In 42 of 45 morning meetings, rail workers voted to return to work Friday, a tendency that continued in the afternoon, union officials said.
The development was good news for travelers who have been forced to cancel trips and invent new ways to get to work. Parisians stung by a subway strike have walked or used bikes and scooters to cross town.
...
The turnaround began Wednesday night after a first round of talks with unions protesting Sarkozy's plans to do away with retirement privileges reserved for rail workers and several other sectors. The government believes the reform is essential to modernizing the economy and saving the pension system.
Workers were expecting generous concessions during the talks, to conclude before the end of December.
Sarkozy, elected in May, has held firm on his promise to reform France from top to bottom with economic, social and political changes to make the country more competitive.
However, political rivals fear that Sarkozy will dismantle labor protections considered part of the French way of life and scrupulously watched over by unions. The reform in question was one small but crucial part of the whole.
"The political gain for Sarkozy is completely clear," said sociologist Guy Groux, of the prestigious Institute for Political Science in Paris. The president's electorate, he said, "will see a move of firmness" and a break with the past when reform plans folded under strike pressure.
...
Stand strong, France. Don't give an inch to the corporatists attempting to "level the playing field" by cutting workers off at the knees.
ReplyDeleteSarkozy is a closet fascist who would make ballerinas die a cold and bitter death, pensionless, to balance his billionaire cronies' bank accounts.
The fact that Sarkozy "vacationed" with a Microsoft billionaire this past summer says it all.
Vive la revolution. Vive la France!