French unions plan more strikes

French trade unions called late Thursday for more nationwide strikes and street protests against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reform, as the Senate prepared to vote on the measure. A seventh day of strikes and protests is to be held October 28, and more street demonstrations were scheduled for November 6, Marcel Grignard, national secretary of the CFTD union, told journalists in Paris. The decision was announced as the protest movement continued to disrupt the country's economy. Demonstrators briefly blockaded Marseille-Provence Airport early Thursday while truck drivers again obstructed traffic on about a dozen motorways. Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo said Thursday afternoon that 2,790 of France's 12,300 service stations were without gasoline. That was about 400 fewer than on Wednesday. He also told senators that 14 of the country's important fuel depots remained blockaded. "Of the very important 92 or 93 (fuel depots), there are no more than 14 that are blockaded, 12 of which in the refineries" whose workers have been on strike since October 12, he said. Blockades at seven other depots were forcibly lifted overnight after Sarkozy ordered police to take action to ensure that gasoline is widely available. The gasoline shortages come ahead of school holidays and could affect many travel plans. The Senate was working swiftly to pass the measure, which gradually raises the retirement age from 60 to 62 by the year 2018. The ruling UMP party initiated a parliamentary maneuver to speed the vote so it could be held before the weekend. Meanwhile, French firms were beginning to add up the costs of the strikes. Air France said Thursday that it had lost about $34 million in two months because of the numerous job stoppages. Citing a spokesman for the industry, French media reported that chemicals producers were losing about $135 million a day because of the strikes and protests. (RBY-22/10)