French Unions Vow to Hold Major Strike

French Unions Vow to Hold Major Strike


Sunday March 26, 2006 11:01 PM

AP Photo XFM102

By JEAN-MARIE GODARD

Associated Press Writer

PARIS (AP) - French students and unions insisted Sunday they will go ahead
with a one-day national strike and more street protests unless the government
withdraws a youth labor law that has sparked violent demonstrations and shut
down universities.

The strike Tuesday is expected to leave some air travelers stranded,
disrupt train traffic and slow subway travel in Paris and the provinces.
Union leaders said they would meet Wednesday to decide on the next step,
and one threatened to extend the strike.

"If there is not a positive response from the government Tuesday night,
we will continue the movement," Jean-Claude Mailly of the Workers Force union
told The Associated Press.

The disputed new law lets companies dismiss workers under 26 without cause
during their first two years on the job - a loosening of strong job protections
that the government hopes will encourage employers to hire more young workers and
reduce high unemployment.