France’s elaborate game of role play / France hit by fresh wave of strikes

France faced a further round of serious rail and air traffic disruption from strikes beginning late on the 22 September 2010 as trade unions sought to mobilise millions of protesters against plans to raise the retirement age to 62.

French unions reported turnout of nearly three million people at rallies against the pension reform but police figures were much lower.

BBC News, 23.9.10: France pension protest numbers in dispute http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11395363

France24, 23.9.10: Unions and government dispute turnout on huge day of strikes http://www.france24.com/en/20100923-strikes-retirement-age-france-pension-reform-sarkozy-unions

Deutsche Welle, 23.9.10: National strikes in France disrupt transport, schools http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6035687,00.html

ESO: Background information: French deputies support pensions overhaul http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-deputies-support-pensions-overhaul/

France24, 22.9.10: Fresh wave of strikes planned over bill to raise retirement age http://www.france24.com/en/20100922-france-faces-fresh-wave-strikes-over-pensions-reform-sarkozy-transport-protests

EUObserver, 24.9.10: French protesters take to the streets for a second time in a month http://euobserver.com/9/30884

EUObserver, 23.9.10: French strike highlights EU's pension debacle http://euobserver.com/9/30872

EurActiv, 23.9.10: French strikes challenge Sarkozy on pension reform http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/french-strikes-challenge-sarkozy-news-498055

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