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Strike halts French services
PARIS, France (CNN) -- Nationwide strikes were disrupting transport and many other public services Tuesday in France as trade unions launched a one-day protest against proposed pension reforms. Most planes, trains and buses were operating at minimum capacity, while many schools were closed and other services disrupted in what organizers are calling "Black Tuesday.'' More than 100 protests were planned across France during the 24-hour strike. Unions said they were planning further job action Wednesday, followed by stoppages May 19 and 20. "Across the country, the strike is having some serious effects today," CNN Correspondent Jim Bittermann said. "Basically, the transportation sector is the hardest hit." National carrier Air France said long-haul operations will not be affected by the strike, but the airline is canceling one in three short- and medium-haul flights Tuesday. British Airways said up to 110 flights -- or more than 90 percent of its services in France -- could be grounded. No-frills airline Ryanair said it cancelled 21 trips, while rival easyJet grounded 61 flights. SNCF, the state-run railway company, cancelled two-thirds of its mainline services Tuesday. The Paris transport authority said virtually no Metro trains were operating and buses were running at a fifth of normal frequency. Many commuters in Paris walked, cycled or used in-line skates to get to work, Reuters reported. Subway and bus services were also disrupted in other major cities, including Bordeaux and Strasbourg, The Associated Press reported.
"I'm about an hour late," Emna Hamila, 27, told Reuters while waiting for a taxis in Paris. "But I support the action. The government should not be held hostage." Others, however, were upset by the disruption in services. "It's a complete shambles," said one man, who was strapping on rollerblades outside Saint Lazare railway station on his way to work. "The strikers should be hanged." Eurostar service between France and England, meanwhile, was reported to be running normally. Teachers joined the latest 24-hour stoppage, forcing some schools to shut and reducing others to minimal operations. Post office workers were also off the job. The unions are protesting plans by the government of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to reform the state-sponsored pension system, which would require people to pay more into their schemes and for a longer period. "If we don't carry out this reform, the system will collapse," government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope told AP. At present, civil servants contribute to the pension system for 37 1/2 years. The government wants that period extended to 42 years by 2020. A previous attempt at pension reform in 1995 was abandoned after a series of crippling transport strikes. Civil Service Minister Jean-Paul Delevoye said he does not expect Tuesday's job action to deter current plans for pension reform. "Today, no one contests the need for reform," he told France-2 television. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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