Chirac boosted as French rail strike nears end of line

FRANCE’S beleaguered leadership last night received a boost after rail unions raised hopes that a crippling strike would end.

Commuters crammed on trains and long-distance travellers faced lengthy waits yesterday as workers at France’s state-run railway system went on strike, disrupting national lines and suburban Paris services.

The open-ended strike at the SNCF national rail network kicked off a planned week of labour walkouts that looked likely to add to the problems facing the centre-right government, already weakened by weeks of rioting in poor suburbs.

Transport woes were likely to be compounded this morning by a one-day strike on the Paris Metro over pay and benefits. Meanwhile, two unions representing secondary teachers are due to stop work on Thursday to protest budget restrictions, job cuts and a new substitute-teacher system.

President Jacques Chirac also stepped in to guarantee that the SNCF would remain a state-run company “whatever happens.” The SNCF, he said, was a “brilliant French enterprise, essential to France.”

Mr Chirac is facing heavy criticism for his slow response to widespread rioting involving youths from the poorest parts of the country, but his response to the latest crisis appears to have eased the situation.

Union leaders said last night they were satisfied with concessions offered by national rail operator SNCF, raising hopes for an end to a strike that disrupted French train services yesterday.

“Rail workers have been heard,” Eric Falempin, representing the Workers’ Force union, said after talks between labour leaders and SNCF management.

Union leaders indicated they were prepared to recommend a halt to the strike this morning. Four unions called the walkout to protest at restructuring, job cuts, pay and what they see as creeping privatisation of SNCF.

France earlier this year agreed to open its rail market to more European competition before the end of 2006, in exchange for a €1.5 billion state-sponsored bailout of the money-losing freight division of SNCF. Unions fear this will pave the way for privatisation.

The strike started on Monday evening and caused widespread problems for rail users. About one in three trains operated as normal on the Paris network, while two in five high-speed TGV trains ran nationwide, the SNCF said. About 80% of international trains ran.