French workers block Channel Tunnel

December 9, 1995
Web posted at: 11:55 p.m. EST (0455 GMT)

PARIS (CNN) -- France's public service strike entered its third week Friday with rail workers at the negotiating table in Paris. But other strikers clashed with riot police and shut down the Channel Tunnel from France to Great Britain.

The strike, which began with mass transit workers over Prime Minister Alain Juppe's plan to freeze wages and cut benefits for public employees, has spread to other public services.

Twenty-eight striking coal miners and a policeman were injured and a mining company building was set ablaze in Freyming-Merlebach in eastern France early Friday. Teachers, postal workers, airport and hospital personnel, utilities workers and others have also supported the strike since it began November 24.

But the transit workers continue to be at the forefront of the work stoppage. On Friday, they successfully blocked toll gates on the French side of the Channel Tunnel between France and Britain, forcing the cancellation of at least three Eurostar trains scheduled to make the trip.

"Passengers will be taken to London by other means, such as buses," said a spokeswoman for the state-run SNCF rail company, which operates the train service.

Strikers also caused delays at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports outside Paris. Paris has been hardest hit by the strike, which has completely paralyzed the city's public transportation system and left many commuters in the lurch.

Juppe appointed a mediator on Thursday, while demonstrations outside Paris drew an estimated 1 million people. Juppe's mediator, economist Jean Matteoli, drew praise from union representatives, although they pledged to continue the strike while negotiations took place.

Matteoli began his efforts Friday afternoon in scheduled meetings with railroad workers, who have taken the toughest line in the strike.

France's citizens are ready for an end to the strike, according to a poll published by Le Parisian newspaper. That poll showed that while 59 percent were sympathetic to the strikers, 74 percent want Juppe to begin negotiations. Fifty-six percent, however, lack confidence in the government's ability to end the crisis.

The first meeting between the French government and union representatives since the strike began 16 days ago ended with no resolution. Union leaders said they were disappointed with the negotiations and called for an extension of the strike.

Juppe has called an emergency cabinet meeting for Sunday to review the status of strike talks.

French workers block Channel Tunnel

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