The Big Strike 5th December 2019
Dec 17th 2019, 4:49 pm
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
We have recycling for paper glass plastics and then a bin for all other rubbish. I'm in a heavily populated urban downtown district. The bins are concreted into the sidewalk about a block away. I don't know which days they empty them, they are around the corner. I think it must be twice a week. At least the street cleaner was by yesterday morning! 
The TV news often shows uncollected rubbish in city streets when the local dustmen are on strike, but AFAIK nothing has been reported so far. Whereabouts do you live? If it's as bad as that, contact your Mairie to find out why the rubbish hasn't been collected....
Dec 17th 2019, 6:09 pm
#32
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
I've been watching the French news closely today for new developments, and it doesn't look good.
After the midday announcements by the government, it appears that the proposed changes have been rejected by the hard-line, influential CGT union, also impacting CFDT and RATP unions. The teacher's union and the police union also show dissatisfaction with the details of the proposed pension reforms, and plan to continue their industrial action. Tomorrow (Thurs 11Dec) is targeted for another major show of action, and also next Tues 17th Dec.
With several of the country’s eight oil refineries remaining blocked, this raises the prospect of fuel shortages and even more chaos on the run-up to the end of the year's holiday season.
I believe the plan was to pass the bill through parliament in Feb 2020, but with so much opposition being shown, one can only wonder if the reforms will happen. However the government appear determined, and Macron being Macron.......
That Tues 17Dec date is a personal blow, as we have to be in Agen at 11:00 (almost a 3hr drive) for a very special, long-time awaited specialist's appointment. Have now decided to travel the day before, and have just booked a hotel for Mon evening. I suggest that those planning to travel between now and the end of the year have some sort of plan B if possible.
Unless I'm very mistaken it's sure to be another winter of dissent. Someone please, please prove me wrong!
After the midday announcements by the government, it appears that the proposed changes have been rejected by the hard-line, influential CGT union, also impacting CFDT and RATP unions. The teacher's union and the police union also show dissatisfaction with the details of the proposed pension reforms, and plan to continue their industrial action. Tomorrow (Thurs 11Dec) is targeted for another major show of action, and also next Tues 17th Dec.
With several of the country’s eight oil refineries remaining blocked, this raises the prospect of fuel shortages and even more chaos on the run-up to the end of the year's holiday season.
I believe the plan was to pass the bill through parliament in Feb 2020, but with so much opposition being shown, one can only wonder if the reforms will happen. However the government appear determined, and Macron being Macron.......
That Tues 17Dec date is a personal blow, as we have to be in Agen at 11:00 (almost a 3hr drive) for a very special, long-time awaited specialist's appointment. Have now decided to travel the day before, and have just booked a hotel for Mon evening. I suggest that those planning to travel between now and the end of the year have some sort of plan B if possible.
Unless I'm very mistaken it's sure to be another winter of dissent. Someone please, please prove me wrong!
For any pet (especially dog) lovers reading this, the rdv was the 2nd trip to see a very specialized veterinary surgeon for post op X-rays and general check-up after our new pup had been diagnosed with canine hip dysplasia two months ago, and a triple pelvis osteotomy/TPO performed 6 weeks ago.
We'd observed that the pup was 'bunny-hopping' rather than running normally, and after much concern, discussions and incertitude we decided on this rather specialized op, given that we'd found arguably the most qualified veterinary surgeon in the region and that the pup appeared to be a good candidate i.e. greater than 4 but less than 10 months old.
Due to a certain risk factor it was a difficult decision, especially considering the eye-watering cost. I've told Mme TP she'll now have to cut-back on her make-up and toiletries!
Today's X-rays confirmed that the operation was a total success and that the last 6 weeks nightmare of attempting to keep a hyper-active, very strong dog permanently under control was well worthwhile.
The convenience hotel stop-over we made last night was not one we'd want to repeat. Nothing wrong with the hotel, indeed it was excellent, but most definitely was the first and last with this dog. The evening between 10-11pm was punctuated with alarm-raising, very loud barks every time the (by now very large) pup heard anyone pass in the corridor. This briefly recommenced at 7:30 this morning with any similar movement outside the door, until I took 'junior baskerville' around the block, and into breakfast.
Now back home, and after his much awaited meal, junior is sound asleep after a very tiring day.
For those still interested, a few Before/After photos follow:
Don't be fooled by the angelic appearance.
Spoiler:
After 1st 'haircut' at 7months.
Spoiler:
Post op. Maybe not for those with a nervous disposition etc.......
Spoiler:
Almost good as new, but needs another haircut......
Spoiler:
At least the postman doesn't risk being attacked these next few days. He's on strike!
Last edited by Tweedpipe; Dec 17th 2019 at 7:18 pm.
Dec 17th 2019, 8:33 pm
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
What a beautiful toutou, glad to hear he's OK now!
P.S. The SNCF kindly mailed today to say that my train next weekend is cancelled - lucky I booked my BlaBlaBus ticket the other day as a precaution. I'm now wondering whether to book a Bus for the return journey and cancel my return train.....
P.S. The SNCF kindly mailed today to say that my train next weekend is cancelled - lucky I booked my BlaBlaBus ticket the other day as a precaution. I'm now wondering whether to book a Bus for the return journey and cancel my return train.....
Dec 18th 2019, 9:14 am
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
What a beautiful toutou, glad to hear he's OK now!
P.S. The SNCF kindly mailed today to say that my train next weekend is cancelled - lucky I booked my BlaBlaBus ticket the other day as a precaution. I'm now wondering whether to book a Bus for the return journey and cancel my return train.....
P.S. The SNCF kindly mailed today to say that my train next weekend is cancelled - lucky I booked my BlaBlaBus ticket the other day as a precaution. I'm now wondering whether to book a Bus for the return journey and cancel my return train.....
I think if I was you, I'd think seriously about cancelling the return train trip only if you can be sure of reserving a BlaBlaBus seat. My reasoning on this:
Listening to several programs last night dedicated to the current social unrest/strikes, from what was declared in parliament yesterday, the government were adamant that the pension reform bill will not be renounced. The union leaders too were adamant that they will continue stike action until the government relent, looking very much like a stalemate situation in the short to medium term.
However if there is a thread of positive news, it's that Elisabet Borne has announced that of the 850k train tickets purchased, 850k places are assured. Related links:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Makes one wonder what to believe with all the fake news being spread around these days.
I do hope it works out well for you over the holiday period.
Dec 18th 2019, 3:27 pm
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
Difficult to know the best way forward on this DMU.
I think if I was you, I'd think seriously about cancelling the return train trip only if you can be sure of reserving a BlaBlaBus seat. My reasoning on this:
Listening to several programs last night dedicated to the current social unrest/strikes, from what was declared in parliament yesterday, the government were adamant that the pension reform bill will not be renounced. The union leaders too were adamant that they will continue stike action until the government relent, looking very much like a stalemate situation in the short to medium term.
However if there is a thread of positive news, it's that Elisabet Borne has announced that of the 850k train tickets purchased, 850k places are assured. Related links:
Makes one wonder what to believe with all the fake news being spread around these days.
I do hope it works out well for you over the holiday period.
I think if I was you, I'd think seriously about cancelling the return train trip only if you can be sure of reserving a BlaBlaBus seat. My reasoning on this:
Listening to several programs last night dedicated to the current social unrest/strikes, from what was declared in parliament yesterday, the government were adamant that the pension reform bill will not be renounced. The union leaders too were adamant that they will continue stike action until the government relent, looking very much like a stalemate situation in the short to medium term.
However if there is a thread of positive news, it's that Elisabet Borne has announced that of the 850k train tickets purchased, 850k places are assured. Related links:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Makes one wonder what to believe with all the fake news being spread around these days.
I do hope it works out well for you over the holiday period.
But that wouldn't be a solution if I want to go to Paris in January and they and the RATP are still on strike.... But let's be optimistic....
.
Dec 24th 2019, 8:39 am
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Halfway between Ricard & Absynthe
Posts: 4,291
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
DMU, I hope things work out as well as possible under the circumstances, and for all others expecting to get away to meet family & friends over Christmas.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
Dec 24th 2019, 2:19 pm
#37
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
DMU, I hope things work out as well as possible under the circumstances, and for all others expecting to get away to meet family & friends over Christmas.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
Macron needs to do better than this.
Dec 28th 2019, 12:26 pm
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: The Big Strike 5th December 2019
DMU, I hope things work out as well as possible under the circumstances, and for all others expecting to get away to meet family & friends over Christmas.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
As many of us living here are well aware, it's still utter chaos - especially in the Paris area at Metro and RER main line railway stations. Airports too are fraught with problems due to unregular direct train links, also widespread disruption at other airports due to the various union actions.
The way I see it, France appears to be falling apart at the seams, with the widespread civil unrest and long-term unresolved hospital staff/police/firefighters/truckdrivers/teachers/postal/government worker strikes and go-slows just to mention a few. Some but not all of these being part of the nationwide walkout over government pension reforms.
And recently there was another nail struck briefly through the heart of France - La Grande Dame / Eiffel Tower was closed for a short period! And the Cathedrale of Notre Dame is still shedding tears.......
It's unbelieveable that with the season of goodwill now upon us, the union leaders haven't at the very least called a halt to travel-related strike action between Christmas and the New Year. If nothing else they would have far more backing from the public if their immediate actions were temporarily postponed until early next year. Over the last week a great deal of public support for the unions has been lost, and I'd expect this to escalate over the weeks to come if events continue without change. The government too imho have a great deal to answer for in launching the initial dialogue for the pension reforms toward the end of the year, especially as the poorly explained details of the reforms were an obvious red-flag-waiver for additional civil unrest. It appears unlikely that the government will relent, as they remind the public that the pension reform was an election campagne promise - and they were voted in.
C'est la vie, but not the one I ever imagined when deciding to live here permanently.
I've just returned home by bus, as planned, likewise les Girls to their BlaBlaCar and (non-French) train connections. We had no TV in our AirBnB and were virtually media-free - how restful it was, not to be bombarded by the latest news.... I'm returning to reality gently, but won't be going to Paris in January, whatever might be agreed upon - the strikers are too unpredictable. I laughed hollowly (rire jaune) when I heard that the Unions invited the Gilets Jaunes to join their demonstrations today "to increase numbers". To me, this represents desperation, as the Unions realise that they're losing support of their members....
I'll now step down from my soapbox and check on how Brexit is getting on.....
