French unrest over pension age escalates

WORKERS tried to shut down France yesterday with strikes affecting transportation, schools and the postal service in a showdown with President Nicolas Sarkozy over his government’s attempt to raise the retirement age by two years.

Tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower were ushered away after workers there joined the strike. Refinery workers also walked off the job – leading one union to warn of looming fuel shortages.

The battle over raising France’s retirement age from 60 to 62 has gone on for months, but this week could prove decisive. With the Senate expected to pass the pension reform bill by the week’s end, some unions have declared open-ended strikes, meaning Tuesday’s walkouts could drag on for days or even weeks.