Pension overhaul proposal sparks strike

September 7, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

PARIS

French train traffic began tapering off Monday at the start of what promises to be a major strike over unpopular conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62.

The strike took effect gradually on the state-run train network starting at 8 p.m. But the big disruptions were expected today, with protesters taking to the streets and the work stoppage spreading to airports and public transport.

Civil-aviation authorities asked airlines to cut a quarter of their flights at Paris’ airports today. Only two out of five fast trains are to run, and traffic will be slowed on Paris’ subway and suburban transport lines.

The strike coincides with the start of debate in parliament over a plan to overhaul the money-losing pension system so it will break even in 2018. The government insists the reform is essential as people live longer, and it has urged people to show “courage” as it tries to chip away at the huge national debt.

Unions say the government is attacking one of France’s most cherished social protections — though a retirement age of 62 would still be among the lowest in Europe. Neighboring Germany, for example, has decided to bump up the retirement age from 65 to 67.

About 200 street demonstrations are planned today throughout France, including in Paris.