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As of December 24, 1995 I have left Paris. Between the 21st and the time I left, the strikes seemed to have subsided. PM Juppe and the syndicats were in labour talks. The news reports were not positive about the progress (or lack thereof). Both the FO and CGT union leaders were still making announcements that they would go back on strike after the holidays if the talks did not go their way. The information I heard/read about the labour union demands were (for the entire French population) higher wages, 35 hour work week, less taxes and more pension benefits.
The French Connection
Paris, Dec 21 - At press time, Prime Minister Alain Juppe is in meetings with the transportation unions. Shutdowns of the Paris metro began in earnest at about 10h30 this morning as the unions remind Juppe that they can go on strike again. Almost all Paris metro service is expected to be out of serivce for the duration of the talks. Unions held mass demonstrations in the streets of Paris last night as a precursor to todays talks.
A continuation of the strikes would make an already dismal Christmas season for the retailers even worse. Sales at stores have picked up in the past few days as people have tried to get their Christmas shopping done. But overall, sales are down as much as 50% over last year.
The traffic situation in Paris has eased somewhat as the metro lines came back online the the past few days. Some people kept commuting by car as they were wary of the unions staying on the job. Seeing as the strikes may regain some momentum today, Paris may see massive commuting headaches starting this evening.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Belgium, massive strikes and riots have shut the capital of Brussels down. The Brussels airport is also suffering the consequences with most flights being cancelled. Evening news reports show rock throwing union members clashing with the police. A sight not dissimilar from Paris just a couple of weeks ago. VATICAN CITY, Dec 21 - Pope John Paul received French bishop Jacques Gaillot. This is the first meeting since the Vatican sacked the bishop from his position as bishop of Evreux in Normandy last January. There were mass demonstrations in France and Belgium by people that thought the bishop had been treated unfairly.
Manifestations
Paris, Dec 17 - Members of the CGT and FO unions gathered on Saturday in marches all across France. In Paris, the only running metro line (La Defence - Chateau de Vincennes), did not stop at stations between Chatelet and Vincennes because of the marches. No other disruptions were reported.
The Vote - End the Strike
Paris, Dec 15 - SNCF rail workers around the country voted to end the three week long strike. The communist CGT union even supported today's vote. In the capital, it is reported that six metro lines are back up and running. Most of the metros are still either shut down or running sparsely. Run separately by the RATP it is not clear when normal service will resume in Paris. The #1 La Defence - Chateau de Vincennes line was running during tonights evening rush hour. But lines #6 and #8 were still shut down and gates to the entrances locked. Access to the metro is free. Several RATP union workers still supporting the strike were seen in the metro disseminating false information about the availability of metros on different lines.
SNCF officials reported that they expected to be able to provide full service again either Sunday or Monday. The first TGV to run since the strike started left the town of Lille for Roissy, Charles de Gaulle airport. 10 passengers made the journey which was delayed for half an hour by debris on the tracks left by resilient strikers. Police cleared the tracks and the train was able to complete its journey. Reports from the airport sound as if things are running normally at both Paris airports despite threatened strikes by the air traffic controllers.
It is difficult to determine how long the respite from the strikes will last. Threats from both the CGT and FO unions still exist. Many Parisiens feel that the strikes could resurface if the unions are not satisfied with the labour talks scheduled for next week. Large demonstrations are still scheduled for Saturday, Dec 16th throughout France.
The traffic situation has not recovered from the temporary end to the strike. The evening rush hour was still the sight of bumper to bumper traffic. All major boulevards and peripheriques were jammed. A number of side streets were also bogged down by heavy traffic.
The CRS, France's riot police, were seen out in force this evening. Anticipation of possible reprisals by union members still supporting the strike and causing public disruptions.
In Russia, 13 airports were affected by air traffic controller strikes over pension and wages.
Deja vue?
Evening Edition - Paris, Dec 14 - A running Paris metro? People were not seeing things when one of the Paris metro lines sprang into life albeit for only 90 minutes. The RATP workers for that line voted to end the strike as other members of the unions were gathered in similar vote meetings. Similarly, 6 other SNCF union members in northern French cities had voted to end their strikes.
These votes all followed yesterdays concessions by Prime Minister Alain Juppe on reforms of the rail pensions and wages. Although leaders of both the CGT and the FO unions sent letters to Juppe insisting on having negotiations on broader topics which they outlined yesterday.
But there remains no immediate vision for an end to the strikes. If the labour meetings between PM Juppe and the unions do not "address the concerns of the unions" there could be a "severe backlash."
After a couple of days respite traffic jams resumed today. The evening rush hour was hampered by the second snow fall of the season. Billowing snow made the streets wet and slow going. Traffic was further compounded by the signing of the Bosnian peace accord. Dignitaries were flown in by helicopter to the center of Paris where streets were blocked off for security reasons. The leaders of several countries were whisked away from where the helicopters landed at Invalides to the Elysees Palace. Due to the schedules of the signing it affected both morning and evening rush.
Air traffic controllers may be on strike but the impact apparently has been minimal at Paris airports. Of 4,500 scheduled daily flights 3,800 flights were made with delays of less than 45 minutes.
The French bourse regained strength today rising 1% and eliminating losses from the previous days. The franc also gained some strength on the promising news of a near end for the strike.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Brussels PM Dehaene tried to convince the public sector workers to come to grips with reality and understand the reforms in Belgium had to be done. One of the daily newspapers said that "Paris was not that far away."
Luxembourg is bracing itself for similar strikes by its public sector workers tomorrow. Similar reforms to meet the requirements of the Maastricht Treaty have been proposed by the government.
Within reason
Paris, Dec 14 - Prime Minister Juppe extended an olive branch yesterday conceeding to the unions and withdrawing his reforms of the rail transport workers. At the same time Juppe said he would not turn back on the necessary welfare reforms France has to institute to meet the budget deficit requirements of the Maastricht Treaty.
The leaders of both the communist CGT and the FO unions demanded even more concessions from the French government. CGT demanded that Juppe shelve his plans on welfare reform. FO wants the government to go even further by addressing unemployment and wages.
The French bourse fell 1% on the news of the concessions by the government. The franc started to lose value also and was at a low of 5.0295 yesterday.
Air traffic controllers are expected to continue disruptions at both Paris airports. But statistics over the past few days shows little inconvenience. 3,800 planes out of a scheduled 4,500 daily make it out of Paris. Most delays are less than 45 minutes.
The talks on the Bosnia peace summit have been held in the suburbs of Paris due to the strikes. The signing of the peace agreement is expected to occur today at the Elysees Palace. A large ceremony will be held at Place Concorde.
In Brussels, railway workers went on strike against the same types of reforms being introduced by the Belgian government. Over 40,000 people marched in the streets of Brussels.
On the street, the average person in the private sector is getting fed up with the strikes. Motorist are very eager to stop and give hitchikers a lift.
Momentum is down
Paris, Dec 13 - Failed negotiations with the French government push the communist CGT union into a vote yesterday to continue the strike for at least 24 hours. Why the unions are voting to continue the strikes day by day is not clear. There is some hope that less than two weeks before Christmas some union members are willing to go back to work to earn some money. Upward trends are already being noticed with postal and other non-transportation employees showing up for work.
Paris Orly airport was shutdown early yesterday morning due to a combination of air traffic controller and fire brigade unions striking for a few hours. But the impact was short lived with Orly returning to almost normal operation with some flights delayed at most an hour and only a few cancelled.
Eurostar continues to remain shutdown and strikers on the French side of the Channel Tunnel blocked access to the Eurotrain Le Shuttle. But the strike fizzled out at about 15h15.
Traffic in Paris is easing somewhat. On Monday, the streets were jammed with evening commuters at 22h00. Tuesday commuters must have changed their schedules because at 19h30 traffic was very light in some normally congested routes.
Anti-strike marches over the weekend gathered several thousands of people in Paris alone. But estimates of about two million people gathered yesterday throughout France in support of the strikes.
Mediation
Paris, Dec 8 - Today Prime Minister Juppe's new negotiator is scheduled to meet with the striking unions at 15h00 (3pm). One of the largest unions participating in the strike, Force Ouvrier, is predicting that the strikes will intensify next week.
Meanwhile, yesterday, striking miners clashed with the police in Paris. Bottle throwing and tear gas was broken out for the occasion.
Consumer confidence has fallen in France for the third month in a row to its lowest rate since the summer of 1993.
Air's a Fluttering
Paris, Dec 7 - Fire brigades at both Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports went on strike forcing the closure of most runways. Flights in and out of France have been cancelled for most of the day. British Airways cancelled flights from London for the day. This strike coincides with the Air France cabin crew strike. The combination with the rail workers has grounded most intra and international transportation.
Small businesses have started to feel the effects of the strike. Without postal deliveries most are not receiving their payments. Some have had to resort to courrier services to receive their checks. But striking bank workers has not helped in keeping their financial end working. In addition, most workers can only stay for four or five hours considering they have a 4 hour commute round trip. As most merchandise and raw goods stand waiting at railroad docks, many small businesses could end up bankrupt.
A time of year when most retailers see their best sales, most stores are having dismal sales. Traffic problems have eased slightly due to the growing number of people fed up with the commute and staying home. Besided keeping them from work this also keeps them from shopping.
Winter of Discontent
Paris, Dec 6 - Marching from Place Republique to St. Lazare striking unionists and students clashed with police in some of the biggest riots in French history. Overturned cars and burning tires littered the streets like common garbage turning the commute home for some into a nightmare. Tens of thousands demonstrated in the streets of Paris. Similar sized gatherings occurred in all the major cities of France. The rallies are organized by the CGT communist union.
Prime Minister Alain Juppe appeared on French television reaffirming his commitment to welfare reform and higher taxes. The Prime Minister survived the vote of no confidence by the parliament earlier in the day.
On television, debates about the strike focused more on the unions having to defend their stance than about the government proposed reforms they are protesting.
On the streets, people are comparing this to the strikes of 1986 when current President Jacques Chirac was then Prime Minister. The same series of events, bombings by religous extremists, striking university students and transit unions all culminated in severe rioting in the streets. The local supermarkets are quickly running out of dry goods as people rushed to stock up on essential items.
The strikes continue today with Air France scheduled to shutdown tomorrow.
The Gridlock Worsens
Paris, Dec 5 - Striking unions gathered momentum today as school teachers and taxi drivers stayed away from work today. This morning, unaware parents could be seen walking back home with their children in tow. To make matters worse it started snowing in the early morning hours slowing down the already overburdened traffic jams.
Yesterday, riot police clashed with union demonstrators on the tarmacs of Orly airport. This was before Juppe had called an emergency cabinet session where he reaffirmed his position to maintain the social reforms. A vote of confidenced by parliament scheduled for later in the week is assumed to give Juppe their backing. The conservative party has a four-fifths control over parliament. Juppe and Chirac have both affirmed that the reforms will not be put up for a vote by referendum. In addition, polls show that now over 51% of the population is backing the government stance.
The government commanded 1,700 private buses to ferry commuters from the suburbs of Paris into town. Private boats along the Seine are also being paid to get commuters around town. These efforts are not alleviating the girdlock situation which remains on Paris streets.
Parisiens Protest Striking Unions
Paris, Dec 2 - The populous of Paris gathered today at Place du Chatelet to protest the striking unions. Twenty thousand peopled gathered at the urging of Prime Minister Alain Juppe to put and end to the strikes that have kept the city gridlocked as transit and utility unions continued their prolonged strikes.
The CRS, Paris's riot control police squad, can be seen at all major Paris sites in anticipation of demonstrations by the unions. Fighting between the demonstrating unions and the police has already broken out at other cities in France.
Characteristically uncommon, the striking transit unions did not return to work for the weekend. Typically, strikes are held only during the week to disrupt business and government. This may backfire on the unions since the strikes are now affecting the everyday person who can not get around on the weekend. As things go, the unions are not getting general support from Parisiens.
In anticipation of the strikes many hotels and long term logding establishments are at capacity. Locaflat, a Paris apartment management firm, reported that they have received many calls from people looking to rent an apartment for the week. At the same time, they received many cancellations from tourist that had heard about the strikes.
Strike Encompasses More Unions
Paris, Dec 1 - Paris streets are literally turning into large parking lots. The evening rush along the Grande Avenue and Champs Elysees from La Defence to Place Concorde was at a stand still. Drivers at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile at the Arc de Triomphe were standing outside of their cars.
Yesterday as the strike wrapped up it's third day French electricity and gas unions joined the strike in certain regions of France. The transportation unions are finding more of their brotherhood proclaiming solidarity in their cause.
In the afternoon pilots for Air Inter, a division of Air France, declared a one hour strike on December 7th. The pilots union complained about the changes the government is trying to make.
Prime Minister Juppe is going to finding that his task of calming down the unions is not easy. His meetings this afternoon ended without resolution.
This strike is being touted as worse than the nationwide strikes that strangled the nation 10 years ago. It is looking doubtful that Juppe can achieve any reconciliation with the unions.
Paris Paralyzed
Paris, Nov 30 - Paris is paralyzed by massive strikes started three days ago by the SNCF rail workers. SNCF runs the major TGV and local rail lines throughout France. In sympathy, the Paris metro and bus workers started striking the evening of the first day of the strike. Subsequently, Paris and most of France has ground to a halt with the postal service going on strike today.
In Paris, traffic jams have created a 'nightmare' situation in the streets. Peripheriques, the main arteries in and out of Paris, are nearly gridlocked the entire time. Paris streets resemble parking lots as people try to get to and from work. Finding a cab during the day is next to impossible before 22h30. The metro gates following the first day remained padlocked as rapid transit workers stay home. What few buses can be seen on the streets are packed like sardines. Travel by air on the French run Air Inter has reached capacity and those without reservations will find it difficult to travel around France. Eurostar has limited service to both Brussels and London.
Fist fights have broken out at Paris taxi cab stands as frustrated commuters attempt to get what few available taxis exist. Bars and nightclubs are feeling the effects of the strike as attendance has plummeted. Many people are developing sore feet from having to walk to and from work. Those staying home are losing pay as employers deduct wages for not showing up to work. But the striking transportation workers are still collecting full pay while they are on strike.
This afternoon, various postal garage mechanics voted to go on strike. The garage in the 15th district of Paris being highlighted on evening television during their unanimous vote to join in the strike.
Prime Minister, Alain Juppe, is scheduled to meet on Friday, Dec 1, with the transit unions to try and resolve this situation. PM Juppe is proposing changes to the laws that would raise the retirement age of SNCF workers from 50 to 65. Little sympathy exists for the SNCF workers because they live in subsidized housing paid for by taxes of the very population stranded by the strikes. Most people in France do not retire until the age of 65.
Businesses in and around Paris and La Defence are running with fewer people than normal. As the strike goes into its fourth day it is expected that even more people will decide to remain home rather than fight the horrendous traffic jams. Because of the strike, some companies have been forced to close their doors, and others are running on shoestring staffs. Should the strike continue into next week more shutdowns can be expected as it will be next to impossible for people to commute to and from work.
It has been rumoured that Paris taxi cab drivers, the ones benefiting the most from this strike, are contemplating joining the strike themselves. Should this happen Paris could become a city strangled by it's own paralysis.
Marches throughout cities in France are continuing in force. University students have joined workers in denouncing PM Juppe's proposals. In Montpellier the police clashed with demonstrators. Walking about Paris one can hear people debating Juppe's attempt to reduce the French deficit. This is very important in order for France to take part in the combined European Union currency. If France can not get it's financial house in order by 1997 it may be excluded from the EU currency. It has been argued that the EU can not reliably maintain a currency without French participation. But Germany and other EU countries have maintained that all participating countries must meet the minimum requirements in order to be included in the EU currency.
With little hope for the strike to end travelers to France are recommended to postpone their plans until the strike ends. When that might occur is still open for debate. The unions have planned to initiate a secondary strike on Dec 18th should the current strike end before then. Currently, no metro, bus, or trains throughout France are running. With the lack of postal service and the possibility of more unions joining the strike France may become a house of cards ready to tumble down. With the holiday seasons just around the corner many families may find themselves separated from their loved ones.
The above text was written by me. I was living in Paris at the time before, during and after the strikes. I have provided the information as I saw it and the situation caused by the strikes.
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Copyright @ 1995 Alexandre Polozoff. Last Update Dec 21, 1995