French public sector workers went on strike yesterday in protest at job cuts and to demand more pay, hitting hospitals and schools in a day of action called by unions representing around 5 million workers.
It follows a similar strike in November and a separate wave of stoppages over pensions by transport and energy workers.
The strike raises pressure on President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is facing a dip in approval ratings, growing public irritation over relentless exposure to his private life and skepticism over election pledges to raise workers' wages.
By mid-morning, the education ministry estimated that over one in three teachers was on strike and the Sud PTT union said 20 percent of postal workers had joined. But unions said broader participation figures would only be available later.
The unions want pay rises above inflation - 2.8 percent year-on-year in December - but say they have failed to get any agreement in meetings with Budget Minister Eric Woerth, who has announced plans to cut 22,900 civil service jobs this year.
"For the moment, the situation is blocked. I do not see in the ministers' statements ... a change of position," Bernard Thibault, head of the powerful CGT union, said in an interview France with Inter radio.
"The day of mobilization will, I hope, make them realize that their position is not tenable," he said.
Membership of unions in France is just 8 percent of the work force but they have a powerful grip on the public sector and some industries and can cause chaos when they go on strike.
"While the cost of living is rising, salaries have stagnated. Purchasing power is going down and the government does not seem able to come up with a satisfactory response," the CFTC union said in a statement.
Woerth said he regretted the action but hoped unions would continue talks at the next meeting scheduled for February 18.
"I respect those who have decided to go on strike and at the same time I tell them, there's no reason to go on strike, we are going to talk," he told LCI television, adding that he would not back down on the planned job cuts.
According to an opinion poll in Wednesday's Les Echos business daily, 57 percent of people said the day of action was justified, one of the highest levels of support such a campaign has received since Sarkozy's election last May.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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