http://www.lepopulaire.fr/limousin/actualite/2016/05/25/les-opposants-a-la-loi-travail-vont-bloquer-l-a20-jeudi-a-limoges_11928615.html
Teresa, Arthur Scargill led the Yorkshire Miners out on an unofficial strike and not all of the other coalfields joined in. Although the miners had some genuine grievances, they were led by man who was out to make a political name for himself.
At the end of last year I had to make an emergency dash to the hospital in Macon as I was passing a gall tone and sufferingfrom pancreatitis, athough I did not know that at the time. It was far quicker for me to go the hospital by car than wait for the pompiers. I feel vulnerable after that experience and need to have suficient fuel in case something like that happens again.
Going on strike should be the last way to make your point and it does seem to me that there is no thought for the livelihoods of others caught up in this strike.
I read about workers rights, but what exactly are they complaining about?
First the unions in France represent only a very small percentage of people in employment.
Next all that is being proposed is a relaxation of the regualtions regarding the 35 hour week, and making it easier to employ staff, something that France desperately needs to do, especially for the young.
Compared to much of the world, French employees have a very protected life style, more or less gauranteed employment for life, and in the process blocking the employment of others.
And what about my rights? Don't I have any?
And what about the rigths of people who wish to work and need their cars? Don't they have rights?
And what about people, who need hospital treatment, need to get children to school, need to buy food, etc. Don't they have rights?
Peter, it seems that we have lots of liberty, no equality or fraternity.
None here so far in Les Landes. Problems that is!
I'm not sure exactly what the strikers grievences are. However, practically every French person I've seen being interviewed on T.V, whilst being frustrated at the disruption caused, seem to support and have sympathy for the Trades unions action. Does this mean that all the French are bolshie so-and-so's...or does it mean that they have genuine cause for concern and the moral highground?
No, they are doing what all self interested self serving groups do throughout the world, protecting their "rights" at the expense of other's "rights".
Like who Peter? Hedge fund managers, Multinational companies, people with Swiss bank accounts, people who own companies registered in the Virgin Islands, property developers in London and Paris, pharmacutical conglomerates, Saudi Arabians.... you mean like those sorts of people?
Paul, they are affecting me and many others who live deep in the country and need their own transport to shop, visit the doctor etc. etc. and I don't see many of the types you mentioned living round here!
Hello Jane.
I too have a car, and live in the country. I find this constant state of industrial unrest in France very depressing - like you I imagine. Notwithstanding, perhaps France is as it is because the general populace stand up for what they think is right - or in their self interest if you like. There is a lot of unemployment, along with social unrest. But also, you don't see kids forced onto zero hour temporary contracts here, or people having to work till they are 67 to get a paltry pension either.
I'm simply trying to point out that, despite the inconvienience caused, or even the rights and wrongs of the current political auguments, I think there is something to be said for being bloody minded, in a world where the rich are getting even richer, and the political classes really couldn't care less about the likes of you or me.
We were in a bit of a panic yesterday as we flew in to Bordeaux as we had left our car nearly empty at the airport when we left, but we found the garages deserted and plenty of fuel available. How long for? Who knows, but all these strikes are getting a bit wearing. All for workers rights but unfortunately some of the demands go a bit far.
Hi According to the BBC the strike is about the following:
- The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours
- Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay
- The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France. It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs in case of a downturn
- Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated
The French economy is in a mess, partly but not wholly caused by its antiquated labour laws, which the Government is trying, arguably ham fistedly, to bring into the modern world so that France can compete on the international business stage.
One other major French problem is that they are running a massive deficit on their state pension laibilities because they don't contribute enough or over an adequate time period to pay for the pensions.
What is taking place in the real world is that people are going to have to work longer and pay more not just for pensions but all social services in the widest sense.
It was Chancellor Merkel who said:
"if Europe today for just 7% of the world's population produces about 25% of the Global GDP and has to finance 50% of the globval social spending, then it is very obvious it will have to work very hard to maintain its prosperity and way of life" in the FT Dec 11 2012.
That is a very important massage and one that everybody has to take on board as the implications are quite clear. Work longer, produce more, produce it more efficiently and pay more for your social benefits (again in the widest sense"
The CGT is fighting a political battle for prestige and is holding France to ransom. No government can accept that position.
My ten year old son wouldn't mind not going to school... Me neither.
But the hospital treatments, doctors etc, that's something big. The infirmières over here in the Corbières make a lot of km's to take care of people. As far as I know there is still fuel overhere, but there where a lot of people this morning in Lezignan-des-Corbières (Aude 11) waiting on the gasstation.
I agree with you. It's only for people who need care that I am worried, wich is also a kind of self interest (health problems). But it surely could not go on like this. Someone had to take action, and I guess this wakes up people more than anything else. Because now everyone is involved.
Returning from England Sunday, I filled up in Portsmouth as a precaution and was surprised to see petrol stations open and without queues at St Malo. No Aires seemed to be without fuel. Today (Wednesday) I filled up at Puylaurens (Tarn), again no queues and no limits in amount bought.
No problems @ SuperU here in Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, 1hr 20 east of Bordeaux in the Gironde, no restrictions or queues-just the same as normal.
It was actually a Socialist, Gerhard Schroeder, who implemented reforms in Germany and for this he got Das Boot. Hollande is facing the same outcome in 2017, but Kudos to him if he gets it all passed.
Yes Paul, I think that on this occassion the French people do indeed have the moral highground.
For many people it is not a matter of what has been done, but HOW it has been done. In relation to the labour reform package, the Prime Minister and Cabinet have invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to force the law package into being despite the opposition of the National Assembly (French Parliament). Article 49.3 has been used because the Gov't knew that they could not obtain a majority in favour if they put the matter before Parliament for debate and approval. This is a complete circumvention of the normal democratic process, and is effectively a case of rule by dictat. It is this element of dictatorship that has upset so many people, and it is very understandable indeed that this is the case.
Whether the labour reforms are a good idea or not, surely it should be the right of the French people to decide if they want them enacted or not. They have chosen their Parliamentary representatives in free elections, and the majority of those representatives believe that the people do not want these reforms. By circumventing the democratic process with the use of Atricle 49.3 the Prime Minister and Cabinet are clearly imposing legislation against the wishes of the people. This is clearly the thin end of the wedge of dictatorship, and is therefore perhaps something that all people living in France should be very concerned about.
Comments about HOW the new laws are implemented, whether it's democratic or not. Well, how is it democratic that one dinosaur of a trade union, the CGT, can hold the whole country to ransom, by blocking fuel supplies, closing railways, preventing air travel, time after time, with apparently no accountabililty to anyone (not even their own members)? I have read about this new Loi de Travail: essentially, it is not anti-labour and certainly helps rather than endangers employment for young people. The opposition does nothing but undermine moves to make France more flexible, more competitive.
If anyone is interested here is a summary of the proposed changes.
http://www.lemonde.fr/assets-redaction/soc/loitravail_accordeon/accordeon_loitravail_imprimable.pdf