France faces strikes after union talks fail
"We are facing a total refusal," said Francois Chereque, secretary general of the CFDT union, after the 75-minute meeting with Mr de Villepin at his prime ministerial office.
The lack of a breakthrough left France facing the prospect of widespread transport disruptions in next Tuesday's strike and the possibility of a protracted face-off over the law, which makes it easier for companies to hire and fire young workers.
