Sarkozy stands firm as strikes loom

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-14-2007 09:15

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (3rd L) holds a meeting with the leaders of France's main transportation companies, SNCF and RATP and power companies EDF-GDF at Elysee Palace in Paris November 13, 2007. REUTERS/Patrick Kovarik/POOL (FRANCE)

French rail-workers have begun a nation-wide strike over plans by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to reform their pensions.

This strike is a test of Sarkozy's promise of reforming France's economy.

Staff at rail group SNCF joined local Parisian transport workers and energy unions and stopped work.

They are expected to stay off work until at least the weekend. This could become the biggest strike France has witnessed in more than a decade.

A train is seen on the eve of a rail workers strike at the Gare de l'Est train station in Paris. (AFP/Joel Saget)

Public servants are due to stop work in a separate dispute on November the 20th. Sarkozy has held last-minute talks with rail and utilities management and has vowed to stand firm.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei