Unions suffer strike fatigue

Only 2.8% of public sector workers heeded the leading trade unions’ call for a strike on Tuesday.

The lacklustre turnout strengthens Nicolas Sarkozy’s position to implement reforms to pensions and the 35-hour working week.

In an editorial in leading daily Le Figaro deputy editor Paul-Henri du Limbert wrote: “The government has won the high ground over the unions.

“This is above all a sign that Nicolas Sarkozy has won a major psychological victory.

“He has shown that France in no longer a country that cannot be reformed - as it has been considered to be for the last 30 years.”

Bernard Thibault, the head of CGT, said he would resume the fight when workers returned refreshed from their summer breaks.

Tuesday’s industrial action follows months of protests by teachers over job cuts, port workers over reform, fishermen and truck drivers over the rising cost of fuel.

The most consistent strikes have concerned proposals to relax the 35-hour working week rule and to increase the number of years work needed to qualify for a full pension from 40 to 41.

Welfare Minister Xavier Bertrand will present a bill today to reform the 35-hour week, introduced 10 years ago when the Socialists were in power.

Bertrand told legislators: "The 35 hours have been a brake on our economy; the 35 hours have prevented the salaries of French workers from rising.

"We have found a just and fair solution to meet the expectations of both companies and employees."

His proposal would open the way for negotiations at company rather than industry level on maximum numbers of overtime hours.

Unions say this would give greater power to bosses and hamstring the traditionally strong role of the trade unions.

Photo: Gilles Klein