Workers shut down pipeline to Paris
Source: Agencies |
October 16, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
STRIKING French oil refinery workers shut down a fuel pipeline supplying Paris and its airports yesterday and airport workers grounded some flights as protests mounted to derail an unpopular pension reform.
France's airport operator played down worries of fuel shortages, but strikes at all of France's 12 refineries and fuel depot blockades have prompted motorists to stock up on petrol.
Truck drivers also were set to join the fray as momentum built for street rallies today.
The widening protests have become the biggest challenge facing President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is struggling with rock-bottom popularity ratings as he tries to appease financial markets by stemming a ballooning pension shortfall.
"This movement is deeply anchored in the country," CGT union leader Bernard Thibault told LCI television. "The government is betting on this movement deteriorating, even breaking down. I think we have the means to disappoint them."
Police broke up blockades at fuel depots in southern France but Air France was forced to cancel some flights from Paris as runway workers at Orly airport halted work.
A nationwide strike that could hit various industries is planned for Tuesday, a day before the Senate is due to vote on a bill to make people work longer for their pensions.
France's main trucking union called on truck drivers to join Tuesday's strike, though they may not be able to use their bosses' vehicles to block roads.
Turnout among striking rail workers dropped to 15 percent yesterday, from 40 percent earlier in the week, but union leaders hope to galvanise the public for next week's action with the same force that saw a 1995 pension bill crushed by 24 days of protests. Next Tuesday's strike could hit various sectors.
The firm operating a fuel pipeline from Le Havre in northern France to Paris said a refinery strike had cut supply to the capital. A spokeswoman for Paris airport operator ADP said they had several days of fuel stocks.
France's airport operator played down worries of fuel shortages, but strikes at all of France's 12 refineries and fuel depot blockades have prompted motorists to stock up on petrol.
Truck drivers also were set to join the fray as momentum built for street rallies today.
The widening protests have become the biggest challenge facing President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is struggling with rock-bottom popularity ratings as he tries to appease financial markets by stemming a ballooning pension shortfall.
"This movement is deeply anchored in the country," CGT union leader Bernard Thibault told LCI television. "The government is betting on this movement deteriorating, even breaking down. I think we have the means to disappoint them."
Police broke up blockades at fuel depots in southern France but Air France was forced to cancel some flights from Paris as runway workers at Orly airport halted work.
A nationwide strike that could hit various industries is planned for Tuesday, a day before the Senate is due to vote on a bill to make people work longer for their pensions.
France's main trucking union called on truck drivers to join Tuesday's strike, though they may not be able to use their bosses' vehicles to block roads.
Turnout among striking rail workers dropped to 15 percent yesterday, from 40 percent earlier in the week, but union leaders hope to galvanise the public for next week's action with the same force that saw a 1995 pension bill crushed by 24 days of protests. Next Tuesday's strike could hit various sectors.
The firm operating a fuel pipeline from Le Havre in northern France to Paris said a refinery strike had cut supply to the capital. A spokeswoman for Paris airport operator ADP said they had several days of fuel stocks.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
