Manifestations in Nîmes, March 2006... yes I was re-routed from Toulouse to Lyon via Nîmes -- what a nightmare.Just when you thought the coast was clear, i.e. after I struggled to get around the country a year and a half ago...
According to the International Herald Tribune,
Similarly, the Strikes in France website warns of taking any French public transport during the fall months... like I will be doing very soon.
And apparently, two French energy unions are calling for the same thing -- big surprise -- strikes.
Could it be that any of these planned strikes happen to fall on the anniversary of Nuit Noire, a massacre in Paris during the War for Algerian Independence, when French governmental officials used unnecessary force to break up a peaceful demonstration of over 30,000 Algerians? Interestingly enough, there's a metro station in Paris renamed "17 Octobre 1961" this past February. Coincidence? Maybe, or maybe the French are just overly-zealous to quit working for an "important" cause.
Yeah, I know right, if I was forced to work 30 hours a week and take an exhausting 2-hour lunch break every day, I'd get real fed up quickly too.
With all the planned grèves, it looks like I'm going to be purchasing a bike ASAP!
(Oh and speaking of demonstrating for a cause, go see Across the Universe! I loved it!)
...UNE SEMAINE!!!
According to the International Herald Tribune,
Employees of France's national rail network called a strike for Oct. 17 to protest President Nicolas Sarkozy's push to do away with their special privileges in the pension system.
The CGT, Sud, CFTC, FO and CGC unions plan to take part in the strike, the CGT union announced Wednesday. Three other unions have decided to consult with members before making a decision.
The strike will begin Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) and will continue the following day. Unions left open the possibility that it could last beyond that.
Similarly, the Strikes in France website warns of taking any French public transport during the fall months... like I will be doing very soon.
And apparently, two French energy unions are calling for the same thing -- big surprise -- strikes.
Could it be that any of these planned strikes happen to fall on the anniversary of Nuit Noire, a massacre in Paris during the War for Algerian Independence, when French governmental officials used unnecessary force to break up a peaceful demonstration of over 30,000 Algerians? Interestingly enough, there's a metro station in Paris renamed "17 Octobre 1961" this past February. Coincidence? Maybe, or maybe the French are just overly-zealous to quit working for an "important" cause.
Yeah, I know right, if I was forced to work 30 hours a week and take an exhausting 2-hour lunch break every day, I'd get real fed up quickly too.
With all the planned grèves, it looks like I'm going to be purchasing a bike ASAP!
(Oh and speaking of demonstrating for a cause, go see Across the Universe! I loved it!)
...UNE SEMAINE!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment