General strike in France

IN AN enthusiastic response to the call by the major French trade union organisations, three million workers took to the streets of France on 7 September for a day of massive strikes and demonstrations in protest against the Sarkozy government’s attack on the country’s pension system.

The rejection of president Sarkozy’s pension ‘reform’ is only part of the wider reasons which brought people massively onto the streets.

“People are sick of seeing the rich allowed to get away with everything while we are expected to give up the rights we have won over many years,” said a car industry middle manager.

Workers throughout Europe will be taking action against their respective governments’ austerity budgets on 29 September, including a general strike in Spain.

For full reports on the action in France and Europe see www.socialistworld.net