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Strike Stalls French Trains
Last week was tough for train travelers in France. First the rail workers went on strike, so about half of the trains were shut down. The strike made it really hard for people to get to work and took a toll on the French economy. The government there said the strike was costing $590 million a day.
To make matters worse, some people set some train equipment on fire. Millions of commuters could not get where they were going. The reason for the strike was that the French president, Nicholas Sarkozy, wants to raise the age of retirement for French train drivers.
The drivers can retire at the age of 50. Although they can stop working, the French government still pays them money. Mr. Sarkozy said this costs the government too much and he wants the drivers to keep working for two and half years longer.
The union does not agree and told all the train drivers to go on strike. The strike lasted nine days before the union told its workers to return to their jobs. The end of the strike is seen as a victory for Sarkozy, but negotiations must continue on his proposed changes. If talks break down, the workers might strike again. But for now the trains are running and commuters in France are happy.
I'm Michelle and that's what happened in the world this week.
'Tis the season for striking. Play Just the Facts to test your know-how of the French rail strike.
Photo: AP/Michel Spingler
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