Sarkozy to meet unions over reform

PRESIDENT Sarkozy has promised to meet with union leaders during February to agree on a programme for reforms for the coming year.

Speaking after yesterday’s mass strikes, he said: “This crisis obliges the government to listen and to have dialogue and at the same time makes us very determined to act," he said, adding that "France must come out of this test stronger."

Between 1.1 million and 2.5 million people joined street protests yesterday, with the lower figure given by the police and the higher one by unions.

However the overall picture on what was announced as “Black Thursday” was not as bad as was feared, with somewhat fewer marchers taking to the streets than on comparable occasions such as protests against pension reform in 2003 or a new form of work contract, the CPE, in 2006. There was also less transport chaos than had been feared.

The President said the “service minimum” in schools and transport had worked. “The trouble caused to transport users and families was limited,” he insisted, thanking those public sector workers who helped make that possible.

In Paris there was a march between the Bastille and the Opera, with estimates of numbers varying widely from 65,000 to 300,000, while there were also large demonstrations in the regions including about 250,000 in Marseille and about 73,000 in Toulouse. Relatively large numbers also turned out in smaller towns, including 7,000 in La Rochelle and 4,500 in Saintes.

The mood of the marchers was anti-Sarkozy, who was being accused of helping bankers but not ordinary people. Some carried banners calling for help to boost purchasing power. Banners opposing planned changes to the running of hospitals were also seen.

The largest number of demonstrators came from the public services, with one in four civil servants striking yesterday and one in three teachers. However private sector workers, such as those from banking or the automobile industry, were out in more force than usual.

Despite high numbers of transport workers joining the strikes, including almost half of bus drivers and a third of train workers, the TGV, regional trains, metros, buses and planes were running better than had been expected.

Photo: Medef