Re: Next General Strike
 

Here we go again....
http://www.lefigaro.fr/retraite/2010...19-octobre.php

Not only another day of marches/demonstration for this Saturday the 16th, but another general strike called for the 19th, the day before the Senate votes on the Age-of-Retirement Reform.
:frown:

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hope this ends soon dmu - daughter had to get a coach from Milan to Paris last night cos her train to Paris was cancelled. Then a hire car to drive to St Malo :ohmy: Luckily she has arrived and is about to board the boat!
Thanks alot for keeping us all updated about the situation - its been really helpful :thumbup:

Re: Next General Strike
 

You're welcome!:)
Forewarned is forearmed, but nothing's predictable at the moment, esp. the SNCF....

Re: Next General Strike
 

We left paris yesterday morning amid much news about the "domestic" flights being cancelled because of the strike. We arrived early at the airport - and had no problem whatsoever. Nary a striker in sight.....;)

We did meet some americans who were travelling by train on saturday and their train was cancelled. They had to wait and push (literally) on a train heading their way....

Wanted to add as well - on two different days, the police (with machine guns, shields etc) closed two main streets (we were staying close to the eiffel tower). The metro was closed one morning and several museums closed - so good idea to phone and see if there is any answer or recording....

Re: Next General Strike
 

Strikes have messed up my plans. Father in-law was coming with his white van to collect a load of our packed boxes, and despite stocking up with fuel at the first warning of strikes some time ago (not a bad move in hindsight), he's coming from Saint-Pierre des corps which has featured a lot on the news of late. We also need to get the train from here back to Paris, so I dont' think that's going to happen this week.
He said the blockades are now trying to stop the delivery trucks delivering food to the major supermarkets where he is. I'm not sure how that's supposed to get the general public on side. I also can't understand why 16/17 year olds are joining the protest when they haven't ventured out into the world of work. Such is life.

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hi, join the clan! I'm supposed to be going to Paris this weekend for a wedding, but I doubt I'll make it, with the SNCF still disrupted by last week's strike and likely to continue after tomorrow's.:frown:
Good question about the youth joining the demonstrations - they deny it, but it's obvious that the Syndicats are manipulating them to add to the chaos. The Syndicats are also keeping quiet the fact that the SNCF employees aren't affected by this Reform at all, but their ranks are needed to swell the numbers of protesters...
As you say, such is life... (in France!)

Re: Next General Strike
 

Sorry for highjacking again. Just wanted to say thanks to dmu and dennerlymum for replying. I did try to post last week but my laptop died mid reply and I've only just got it fixed!

Well thanks for the info it really helps to give us a clearer picture of what to expect.

Re: Next General Strike
 

np :)

Re: Next General Strike
 

well well. I have been asked to speak on Radio York on wednesday re the strike thanks to this forum.
I had better swot up real quick.

Re: Next General Strike
 

This thread is getting repetitive and tedious!

Watch out on the 28th Oct. and 6th Nov. The "journées d'action" might simply be marches, but more strikes are likely.
Next instalment when the Syndicats give more details nearer the time...:thumbdown:

Re: Next General Strike
 

My SNCF tickets were due for 11am this evening. I went to the station last night (they're open until 7pm) to find it had closed at 5pm! Walked for a half an hour to another, and that was closed too, with several irate Parisians facing the same issue. Fortunately I managed to pop in this morning with about half an hour to spare, to get a full reimbursement.

Asides from my plans being messed up in this regard, I fortunately am not suffering much from the strikes. The buses and metro are running as normal, and I don't have a car. Friends using stations like Saint Lazare are finding it very busy and uncomfortable though.
Where my father-in-law is, fuel is in very high demand, and some of the truckers have prevented food deliveries to supermarkets.

I don't know why the protestors don't find out the addresses of the politicians and start protests outside their houses, instead of disrupting the lives of normal citizens. I mean the protest is all about liberties and certain freedoms/privileges, whilst they hamper those of others.

Re: Next General Strike
 

Hi, mine were for just after midday today from Béziers. I decided yesterday afternoon to get reimbursed at my local SNCF station and cancelled my trip to Paris. Rather cross, as I was going to a friend's wedding tomorrow, meeting up with family,.. but I saw on Info-Lignes this morning that my train wasn't running, so I did well...
I'm planning a quick trip to Paris at the beginning of December instead. Does any one with inside information know whether they'll still be on strike?;)
With my track record, Murphy's Law will reign again...

Re: Next General Strike
 

Sorry to hear you missed your friend's wedding.
If I hear any rumours, I'll be sure to let you know regarding December.

Re: Next General Strike
 

Thanks for that! and I'm sorry your partial move was messed up!

Re: Next General Strike
 

28th October and the 6th of November for Strikes but we will probably see more bedlam before Noel.