CNN World News

Private sector slow to join strike;
Juppe prepares to break silence

Juppe December 5, 1995
Web posted at: 11:30 a.m. EST (1630 GMT)

PARIS (CNN) -- Private sector employees largely ignored union leaders' calls for them to show solidarity Tuesday with their public sector brethren on strike against the French government as the worst labor crisis in a decade extended into a 12th day.

There were reports of only isolated private-sector work stoppages Tuesday, and many of those were over issues separate from the welfare reform plan that prompted the dispute. But the strike still gained strength as more public-sector workers joined in.

Prime Minister Alain Juppe was not backing down. In a scheduled speech before parliament, he was expected to defend his plan for welfare reform. His comments would break a weeklong silence on the crisis.

police Earlier Tuesday, Juppe extended an olive branch, offering to negotiate government retirement plans, one of the strikers' main grievances. But he said his other plans are not negotiable. He has said the reforms are necessary to cut the government's budget deficits.

The leader of the independent trade union Force Ouvriere, Marc Blondel, said he was willing to go into negotiations with Juppe if he opened them. He also announced the establishment of a fund to compensate striking workers for lost pay.

arc traffic The initial railroad workers' walkout inspired postal and utility employees to strike, as well. Many hospital workers, teachers and others now have joined them.

buses While trains and buses remained parked and empty, roads and highways around Paris were jammed again Tuesday with backups of up to 25 miles. The first snow added to the misery. Tens of thousands of commuters have had to resort to walking, bike-riding, even skating to work.

However, traffic appeared to be somewhat lighter as the government's plan to provide private buses for non-striking workers took effect. Hundreds of private buses have been commissioned to bring 100,000 suburban commuters into Paris. More than a dozen boats have been carrying commuters along the Seine River.

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