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Huge strikes shut France down—and could bring government to its knees
by Dave Sewell
Part of a 100,000 strong demonstration in Paris yesterday, Thursday (Pic: Force Ouvrière)
Electricity production across France dropped yesterday, Thursday, after workers in all 19 nuclear power stations voted to begin strikes to defend workers’ rights. Around 80 picketing workers set up a barricade of burning tyres in front of the Gravelines station.
The government is already scrambling to cope with strikes in all eight oil refineries and blockades of fuel depots. Dipping into France’s strategic oil reserves hasn’t stopped an acute petrol shortage. A vote to strike by workers at France’s main oil import terminal will only increase it.
CGT union spokesperson Marie-Claire Cailletaud said, “All the nuclear stations have voted for strikes and 12 reduced production overnight.
“The rest were to follow this morning. Electricity will certainly have to be imported.”
Striking workers and supporters cut off both fuel depots on the island of Corsica. CGT official Jean-Michel Biondi said, “We’re joining the national protest movement against the Work Law and our action will continue.
“There aren’t many workers in the depots and the bosses want to intervene to make sure the fuel gets out, but we’re not going to let them.”
Part of a 100,000 strong demonstration in Paris yesterday, Thursday (Pic: Force Ouvrière)
The escalation of strikes against a proposed Work Law last week has demonstrated vividly how workers keep society running—and how they can shut it down.
Thursday was the eighth day of nationwide mobilisations in the two month revolt. Only one newspaper was in shops, the left wing l’Humanite. Print workers refused to print any of the others after they refused to publish an article by CGT union leader Philippe Martinez.
Strikers blocked the Normandy bridge over the River Seine, telling press they were motivated by the “arrogance” of prime minister Manuel Valls.
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Source: http://www.philosophers-stone.co.uk/?p=12513
