Latest on French strike(s) please
Nov 20th, 2007, 09:04 AM
#22
Maybe because we had a good location in the 6th I can honestly say I felt no pain of the strike the 16-19th weekend. We saw everything we planned to see and had a fantastic time. Yes, there was traffic and it was a little difficult getting a cab, but no more so than being in NYC on any normal weekend around this time of year.
Short or no lines and no worries finding a place to eat.
The concierge seemed more stressed by the situation than anyone else we met at the hotel... we were told not to try the metro or buses but when we did they were running and we had no problems.
Short or no lines and no worries finding a place to eat.
The concierge seemed more stressed by the situation than anyone else we met at the hotel... we were told not to try the metro or buses but when we did they were running and we had no problems.
Nov 20th, 2007, 11:20 AM
#24
Nope!
Honestly, I lived in NYC for many years and a strike in Paris felt to me like business as usual in NYC with a lot less midtown gridlock and less horn honking.
No guarantee things will feel that way for you, or that it won't get worse, but I think if you stay centrally and keep an eye on the museum situation you should be fine.
A very kind French gentleman even shielded my bag of Laduree macaroons on the metro so the large crowd wouldn't squash them!! I could have kissed him!
good luck and go with a sense of adventure!
gruezi
Honestly, I lived in NYC for many years and a strike in Paris felt to me like business as usual in NYC with a lot less midtown gridlock and less horn honking.
No guarantee things will feel that way for you, or that it won't get worse, but I think if you stay centrally and keep an eye on the museum situation you should be fine.
A very kind French gentleman even shielded my bag of Laduree macaroons on the metro so the large crowd wouldn't squash them!! I could have kissed him!
good luck and go with a sense of adventure!
gruezi
Nov 20th, 2007, 11:44 AM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For people travelling outside of Paris, the rail services will be still quite reduced on 21st. At Dijon Ville Station tonight, rail workers handed out copies of timetable for tomorrow, they are very limited.
Nov 20th, 2007, 11:55 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<When you consider the fact that even the left wing daily Libération is controlled by Edmond de Rothschild, there is no reason to expect independent reporting anywhere.>
Meme International Herald Tribune (aka NY Times?)
Meme International Herald Tribune (aka NY Times?)
Nov 20th, 2007, 12:00 PM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login?UR.../21france.html
NYtimes article on Sarkozy reappearing
Time Magazine headline: France's Disappearing President
NYtimes article on Sarkozy reappearing
Time Magazine headline: France's Disappearing President
Nov 20th, 2007, 11:19 PM
#28
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question: How to buy a metro ticket if the ticket sellers are on strike.
Answer: You don't need a ticket! The metro is free during the strike! And as of this morning, quite a few lines are operating at more than 50% ... so hop on, and use the savings to buy an extra croissant or cup of coffee!
There is no getting around the fact that this strike is a pain, especially for people like me ... I live on a suburban train line that has had practically no service for more than a week now. Even so, my family & I have managed to get to work & school every day. And as noted in several posts here, most visitors will encounter very few problems in central Paris, apart from a shortage of taxis and the absence of RER B service to the airports.
Interestingly, polls are showing that despite the inconvenience, a majority of French agree that the government should stand firm. France has a long history of capitulating to strikers, and one result is that the economy has not been modernized and is now one of the feeblest in Europe.
Answer: You don't need a ticket! The metro is free during the strike! And as of this morning, quite a few lines are operating at more than 50% ... so hop on, and use the savings to buy an extra croissant or cup of coffee!
There is no getting around the fact that this strike is a pain, especially for people like me ... I live on a suburban train line that has had practically no service for more than a week now. Even so, my family & I have managed to get to work & school every day. And as noted in several posts here, most visitors will encounter very few problems in central Paris, apart from a shortage of taxis and the absence of RER B service to the airports.
Interestingly, polls are showing that despite the inconvenience, a majority of French agree that the government should stand firm. France has a long history of capitulating to strikers, and one result is that the economy has not been modernized and is now one of the feeblest in Europe.
Nov 21st, 2007, 03:58 AM
#30
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be careful with TGV travel as these are disrupted:
In a statement, the SNCF said there had been "several acts" occurring "at the same time" on lines in the north, east and south-west of the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7105045.stm
In a statement, the SNCF said there had been "several acts" occurring "at the same time" on lines in the north, east and south-west of the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7105045.stm
Nov 22nd, 2007, 12:47 AM
#31
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The economy has not been modernized and is now one of the feeblest in Europe....
Pshaw! ???
For those who are interested (and I realize many are not), here is a link to the European Union's most recent economic forecast.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleases...guiLanguage=en
It says that ...
France's unemployment rate is 8.6%, vs. EU average 7.1% (France ranks 25th of 27 countries, ahead of Poland and Slovakia).
France's economy will grow 1.9% this year, vs. EU average 2.9% (It's in a 3-way tie for 2nd to last place among 27).
France's trade deficit is 2.3% of GDP, vs. EU average 0.8%.
France's public finances will be in the worst shape of any EU country by 2009 unless the government cuts spending.
Pshaw! ???
For those who are interested (and I realize many are not), here is a link to the European Union's most recent economic forecast.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleases...guiLanguage=en
It says that ...
France's unemployment rate is 8.6%, vs. EU average 7.1% (France ranks 25th of 27 countries, ahead of Poland and Slovakia).
France's economy will grow 1.9% this year, vs. EU average 2.9% (It's in a 3-way tie for 2nd to last place among 27).
France's trade deficit is 2.3% of GDP, vs. EU average 0.8%.
France's public finances will be in the worst shape of any EU country by 2009 unless the government cuts spending.
Nov 22nd, 2007, 05:03 AM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latest reports :
Reuters - 1 hour 45 minutes ago
PARIS (Reuters) - French commuters faced another day of transport delays on Thursday, but an end to a rail strike now in its ninth day appeared to be in sight as many local union committees voted to return to work.
(Advertisement)
Nationwide rail services and Paris local transport lines ran at reduced capacity but workers in most local committees that met on Thursday voted to suspend their strike over President Nicola Sarkozy's plans to cut special pension benefits.
The dispute over the so-called "special pension regimes" has provided Sarkozy with his biggest challenge since coming to power in May on a pledge of sweeping economic reform.
Rail operator SNCF said 42 out of the 45 committees that met on Thursday morning voted to suspend the stoppages, adding to confidence that the standoff was nearing resolution.
"According to initial returns from the general assemblies, it should be heading towards a return to work," Daniel Tourlan, an official at the powerful CGT union said in Marseille.
"We're heading towards a suspension, it's only the form of action that's changing, the determination of the rail workers is intact," he said.
The SNCF says support for the strike is dwindling. More trains and Paris metro services were running on Thursday than earlier this week, though public transport still remained severely disrupted.
Public opinion has been firmly on the government's side in the dispute but widespread worries over the cost of living have put pressure on the government not to allow the dispute to escalate and get out of hand.
The protests reached a peak on Tuesday when civil servants staged a separate one-day strike over pay and job cuts and some civil service unions warned they might renew their protests next month.
Students in some universities and high schools have kept up their own demonstrations over education reforms and plan to hold rallies in several cities and in front of the oldest Paris university, the Sorbonne, later on Thursday.
Rail unions, which met SNCF management on Wednesday, are expected to continue talking for at least a month. Only the hard-line Sud Rail union has refused to take part.
The Paris transport authority RATP was due to hold talks with unions on Monday.
Sarkozy has vowed to stand firm over the central point of the dispute, scrapping a privilege that allowed some public transport workers to retire on a full pension after paying contributions for 2.5 years less than the norm of 40 years.
But the SNCF has offered some concessions such as including certain bonus payments in the calculation of pension rights or pay rises for those approaching retirement and union leaders said that some progress had been made.
Reuters - 1 hour 45 minutes ago
PARIS (Reuters) - French commuters faced another day of transport delays on Thursday, but an end to a rail strike now in its ninth day appeared to be in sight as many local union committees voted to return to work.
(Advertisement)
Nationwide rail services and Paris local transport lines ran at reduced capacity but workers in most local committees that met on Thursday voted to suspend their strike over President Nicola Sarkozy's plans to cut special pension benefits.
The dispute over the so-called "special pension regimes" has provided Sarkozy with his biggest challenge since coming to power in May on a pledge of sweeping economic reform.
Rail operator SNCF said 42 out of the 45 committees that met on Thursday morning voted to suspend the stoppages, adding to confidence that the standoff was nearing resolution.
"According to initial returns from the general assemblies, it should be heading towards a return to work," Daniel Tourlan, an official at the powerful CGT union said in Marseille.
"We're heading towards a suspension, it's only the form of action that's changing, the determination of the rail workers is intact," he said.
The SNCF says support for the strike is dwindling. More trains and Paris metro services were running on Thursday than earlier this week, though public transport still remained severely disrupted.
Public opinion has been firmly on the government's side in the dispute but widespread worries over the cost of living have put pressure on the government not to allow the dispute to escalate and get out of hand.
The protests reached a peak on Tuesday when civil servants staged a separate one-day strike over pay and job cuts and some civil service unions warned they might renew their protests next month.
Students in some universities and high schools have kept up their own demonstrations over education reforms and plan to hold rallies in several cities and in front of the oldest Paris university, the Sorbonne, later on Thursday.
Rail unions, which met SNCF management on Wednesday, are expected to continue talking for at least a month. Only the hard-line Sud Rail union has refused to take part.
The Paris transport authority RATP was due to hold talks with unions on Monday.
Sarkozy has vowed to stand firm over the central point of the dispute, scrapping a privilege that allowed some public transport workers to retire on a full pension after paying contributions for 2.5 years less than the norm of 40 years.
But the SNCF has offered some concessions such as including certain bonus payments in the calculation of pension rights or pay rises for those approaching retirement and union leaders said that some progress had been made.
Nov 22nd, 2007, 08:51 AM
#34
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The strikes are not over as many train and metro services are still affected. Go to www.ratp.com.
Impossible to get on metro lines 8, 9, 3 and 10.
RER B : Service non assuré
Interconnexion suspendue à Gare du Nord
Buses are few and far between and extremely crowded during rush hour.
Dangerous level of people on the quais waiting for line 1, pushing and shoving. Saw three Brits and their kids in prams roaming around looking for a place to get escalators or lifts.
COSTS FOR FRANCE
BBC News – Thursday 22nd November
Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has said the dispute is costing France up to 400m euros (£290m) a day in lost business
Cost to the French taxpayer is an estimated 5bn euros (£3.5bn, $7bn) this year for funding the public servants with special privileges
Still don’t have the costs of this (BBC News Wednesday 21st November):
It said they included a "very large" fire on the TGV's Atlantic branch that damaged signals affecting 30km (18 miles) of track.
Also a bunch of Velibre’s were vandalized at Republique, possibly by militant union members or strikers. They don’t want to work and don’t want others to get to work. (Strangely this wasn’t reported in any of the papers).
Plus the loss for small business owners.
but the big cost for France would be many international businesses looking elsewhere to invest other than in France with these outdated labour laws, militant strikes, etc.
Impossible to get on metro lines 8, 9, 3 and 10.
RER B : Service non assuré
Interconnexion suspendue à Gare du Nord
Buses are few and far between and extremely crowded during rush hour.
Dangerous level of people on the quais waiting for line 1, pushing and shoving. Saw three Brits and their kids in prams roaming around looking for a place to get escalators or lifts.
COSTS FOR FRANCE
BBC News – Thursday 22nd November
Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has said the dispute is costing France up to 400m euros (£290m) a day in lost business
Cost to the French taxpayer is an estimated 5bn euros (£3.5bn, $7bn) this year for funding the public servants with special privileges
Still don’t have the costs of this (BBC News Wednesday 21st November):
It said they included a "very large" fire on the TGV's Atlantic branch that damaged signals affecting 30km (18 miles) of track.
Also a bunch of Velibre’s were vandalized at Republique, possibly by militant union members or strikers. They don’t want to work and don’t want others to get to work. (Strangely this wasn’t reported in any of the papers).
Plus the loss for small business owners.
but the big cost for France would be many international businesses looking elsewhere to invest other than in France with these outdated labour laws, militant strikes, etc.
Nov 22nd, 2007, 02:12 PM
#36
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We took the Eurostar from London this am and spent the day in Paris. I hadn't seen news in the last 24 hrs. on the strike so we went for it.
Overall, it was pretty chaotic. The metro was incredibly crowded leaving from Nord so we decided to take to the streets. During mid-day all was moving but during evening rush hour, the city was in complete gridlock. We had a train back to London at 21:13 but decided to walk early to Nord since the metros were full and a taxi was easily a 30+ minute wait. At one point near the Opera House, I counted 19 lanes of traffic, all completely backed-up. It was quite a picture! The Eurostars were all on time with no issues there.
Overall, our US Thanksgiving in Paris was fun - instead of watching the Macy's parade we watched the student demonstration parade but our long lunch on the Champs Elysees was every bit as good as a turkey!
If you're coming in the next few days, still come. The weather was wonderful today and if you're a little flexible, you can make your way around with minimal issues but make sure you have comfortable shoes and a spirited travel attitude!
Overall, it was pretty chaotic. The metro was incredibly crowded leaving from Nord so we decided to take to the streets. During mid-day all was moving but during evening rush hour, the city was in complete gridlock. We had a train back to London at 21:13 but decided to walk early to Nord since the metros were full and a taxi was easily a 30+ minute wait. At one point near the Opera House, I counted 19 lanes of traffic, all completely backed-up. It was quite a picture! The Eurostars were all on time with no issues there.
Overall, our US Thanksgiving in Paris was fun - instead of watching the Macy's parade we watched the student demonstration parade but our long lunch on the Champs Elysees was every bit as good as a turkey!
If you're coming in the next few days, still come. The weather was wonderful today and if you're a little flexible, you can make your way around with minimal issues but make sure you have comfortable shoes and a spirited travel attitude!
Nov 22nd, 2007, 02:51 PM
#37
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Checking in from Paris now... we aren't finding the strike to be affecting us at all, but we are walkers anyway... a few trains have been super crowded, but no different from the 4/5 train I have to take every morning to work in NY 
One thing that I didn't expect is that the metros are free now!!! What is up with that? I guess they aren't charging since they are on strike? Wish I had known that before we bought a carnet of tickets! Any idea what I can do with the extra tickets that it looks like we won't use?
Definitely don't let the strike keep you away, if anything at rush hour you'll have to wait for an extra train. And the weather is perfect... we walked from Montmarte to Ilse d'la Cite today and enjoyed every moment... especially the wine we finally had sitting down!
One thing that I didn't expect is that the metros are free now!!! What is up with that? I guess they aren't charging since they are on strike? Wish I had known that before we bought a carnet of tickets! Any idea what I can do with the extra tickets that it looks like we won't use? Definitely don't let the strike keep you away, if anything at rush hour you'll have to wait for an extra train. And the weather is perfect... we walked from Montmarte to Ilse d'la Cite today and enjoyed every moment... especially the wine we finally had sitting down!
Nov 22nd, 2007, 11:15 PM
#39
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here is the latest from the International Herald Tribune.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/...e/22strike.php
Kerouac, I was here for the 1995 strikes, all three weeks. Know what the costs were and continued later after strikes died down. It was a massive un-necessary loss in many respects, including foreign investors. A lot of those little businesses which closed down in 1995, never recovered.
Tourism loss was enormous as the museums were on strikes too at that time.
The EDF electricity strikes in the early 1980s when they randomly cut off the electricity of a hospital. Don't remember how many people died there. Not sure if any investment money or lack of, can pay for THAT loss.
Yep, had my fair-share of strikes. Investment money doe not "pour" into France. Quite the contrary, young French investors and entrepeneurs head abroad!
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/...e/22strike.php
Kerouac, I was here for the 1995 strikes, all three weeks. Know what the costs were and continued later after strikes died down. It was a massive un-necessary loss in many respects, including foreign investors. A lot of those little businesses which closed down in 1995, never recovered.
Tourism loss was enormous as the museums were on strikes too at that time.
The EDF electricity strikes in the early 1980s when they randomly cut off the electricity of a hospital. Don't remember how many people died there. Not sure if any investment money or lack of, can pay for THAT loss.
Yep, had my fair-share of strikes. Investment money doe not "pour" into France. Quite the contrary, young French investors and entrepeneurs head abroad!
Nov 23rd, 2007, 04:12 AM
#40
What is a young French investor? Never heard of those. Perhaps you mean an entrepreneur?
I absolutely loved the 1995 strikes, one of the last great moments of adventure in Paris. I would love some details of the businesses that closed down and never recovered, though. Perhaps the MEDEF or an old CNPF website?
Now everybody just runs to his master.
I absolutely loved the 1995 strikes, one of the last great moments of adventure in Paris. I would love some details of the businesses that closed down and never recovered, though. Perhaps the MEDEF or an old CNPF website?
Now everybody just runs to his master.
