French electricians working for the state owned EDF electricity company, not only went on strike, but actively disrupted various services in France last week to protest against government plans to turn the giant electricity supplier into an independent company in which it intends to keep a 70% controlling stake.
The changes are being forced on the French government by the European community eager to allow overseas electricity producers from other EC countries compete in the French market and by the EDF’s own need to raise capital on the financial markets.

Lights went out in homes throughout Bordeaux, Limoges, Arras, Cahors and many other cities throughout France as most of the 170,000 workers went on strike, whilst power-cuts imposed on mainline train stations caused mayhem and public anger in the capital.
The strikes, the unions say, are necessary to defend the public who they claim, can only be properly served by a nationalised company.
It has nothing to do whatsoever, they insist, with protecting their employment status which includes the guarantee of a job for life and retirement at 53 years of age.

See also : France: Chirac faces up to responsibilities.


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