A wave of strikes in France that's being called the country's biggest labor walkout in 10 years has begun - Journal (english) 14.11.2007 10 UTC

A wave of strikes in France that's being called the country's biggest labor walkout in 10 years has begun, spearheaded by reailway workers. Railroad employees downed tools at 8 PM local time on Tuesday. Morning rail traffic on Wednesday was severely impaired, with service on express, commuter, and Metro lines all affected. In Paris bus drivers have joined the action, as have electricity and gas workers. Unions are protesting a pension refom by President Nicolas Sarkozy that eliminates special rules allowing train drivers and certain other public sector workers to retire at age 50.