French CGT Union: Calls For Open-Ended Strike In Energy Sector
October 06 2010 - 12:10PM
Dow Jones News
French union the CGT Wednesday called for open-ended strikes
beginning Oct. 12 in the energy sector against the government's
pension reform.
"This notification of a strike aims to allow employees to
strengthen the balance of power in their favor following the broad
strike action Oct. 12," the CGT's mining and energy arm said.
Unions have already carried out two one-day strikes in
September. The last one--Sept. 23--was accompanied by rallies that
brought 3 million people out into the street, according to
unions.
France's six leading unions last week said they are planning a
fresh one-day strike Oct. 12 and carried out a day of protest
Saturday that they say again brought out 3 million people.
Open-ended strikes would step up the pressure on Nicolas
Sarkozy's government, which has thus far pointedly refused to back
down on the key aspect of the reform which would raise the
retirement age to 62 from 60 by 2018.
The division of the CGT union for Paris' transport network the
RATP Thursday also announced a notification of open-ended strike
from Oct. 12.
-By William Horobin, Dow Jones Newswires; +33 1 4017 1740;
william.horobin@dowjones.com