I am sitting in a cafe in the latin quarter waiting to eat crepes and more crepes for dinner and dessert. I thought I would share the strikes with the states. Or at least some. The union(s) here are formidable to say the least. Here is an article that the postal service is joining the strike. What is more the students and professors are threatening a strike. Tourists are starting to complain.
The strike is certainly complicated, so much so my meandering through it would confuse. But, what is interesting to see (though many in France would disagree) is the power of the French worker. The strike is over a threatened cut in retirement, vacation and longevity. Instead of negotiation the workers striked (though not all are striking). The majority of the workers who have gained power and benefits that make ours look like a developing nation's benefits, do not want to give it up - including five weeks in the summer when the entire nation goes on holiday. Many say it is time for France to modernize and compete with America, Japan, China and India among others. I am not sure they are right.
What I am sure of is the French worker has power that the American worker cannot even dream of. Not only are they at the negotiating table they can paralyze an entire nation's transportation system. One metro user summed it up best. We were waiting for the Metro last night to go to dinner at the Eiffel tower which was breathtaking and suddenly an announcement came over the intercom that the Metro was retiring for the night. He looked at Nicole and I and said "vive la France." I join him.
4 comments:
I concur - Vive La France. And I don't know very much about the strike either, but my gut instinct is that if this many people are pissed off, then the policy suggested is wack.
Enjoy the rest of your trip! Drink some wine for me...and don't forget to eat a pastry or 30!
hope you are having a great time!
Change is afoot in France. The election of Sarkozy is a sign that French people are no longer going to be patient with striking civil servants. When I was there, my friends (once staunch socialists) were circulating joke emails about how the rail workers have much better benefits and less motivation to work than most other French people. It seems like only a few years ago the massive strikes created a sense of solidarity among people in France. Now, the strikes are seen as a big irritation. Civil servants in France do have amazing benefits that they should act to protect. My fear is that these strikes will turn people off from supporting other workers who have much more to strike about.
so right bikelady, we felt the same vibe in french when talking to our friends. one of my friends is married to a RER train driver. he didn't strike at all & took alot of flak from his colleagues. what bothered me too was the presence of non-french, immigrant beggars and how totally invisible they are to the average person passing them by.
Post a Comment