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10/03/2005
Paris workers strike during Olympic Committee visit
A general workers strike in France has caused travel chaos in Paris, just as the city is playing host to inspectors from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
All the main trade unions in France are participating in the strike and the public transport system has ground to a virtual standstill as a result of the industrial action over plans to reform the 35-hour working week.
It has been reported that only a quarter of trains to the Paris suburbs were still running today, while about half of the high-speed TGV services were cancelled and services to some cities in the south of France were reduced by a third. The metro underground system was also reportedly affected, as was air travel, as a strike by air traffic controllers resulted in disruption and the cancellation of some flights at major airports, such as Orly.
Thousands of workers were also expected to hold a series of protests in the city. However, trade unions stressed that they did not want the strike to affect Paris' bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games – it is believed that many people taking part in the demonstrations were planning to wear T-shirts and badges and carry banners in support of the city's bid.
The 13- strong IOC is currently conducting a four-day inspection of the city to assess its suitability to host the 2012 games. The IOC has already visited Madrid, London and New York and is due to visit Moscow next week.
(KmcA)
All the main trade unions in France are participating in the strike and the public transport system has ground to a virtual standstill as a result of the industrial action over plans to reform the 35-hour working week.
It has been reported that only a quarter of trains to the Paris suburbs were still running today, while about half of the high-speed TGV services were cancelled and services to some cities in the south of France were reduced by a third. The metro underground system was also reportedly affected, as was air travel, as a strike by air traffic controllers resulted in disruption and the cancellation of some flights at major airports, such as Orly.
Thousands of workers were also expected to hold a series of protests in the city. However, trade unions stressed that they did not want the strike to affect Paris' bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games – it is believed that many people taking part in the demonstrations were planning to wear T-shirts and badges and carry banners in support of the city's bid.
The 13- strong IOC is currently conducting a four-day inspection of the city to assess its suitability to host the 2012 games. The IOC has already visited Madrid, London and New York and is due to visit Moscow next week.
(KmcA)
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