Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Wed 11 Nov 2002French strikes bite as public sector walks outFRANCE: France slowed dramatically yesterday as most of the public sector - nearly a third of salaried employees - observed a one-day strike to warn Prime Minister Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin that they will wreak havoc if their job security or retirement plans are threatened.Air travel was most affected, with 3,800 of 4,300 international flights cancelled due to the participation of Air France employees and air traffic controllers, who claim the European Union's "single sky" policy will endanger air safety.