Major transport strikes hit U.K., France

Budget-slashing measures in Europe are causing widespread labour unrest.

London and much of France is paralyzed today as unions stage massive strikes over government cuts. In London, workers on the city’s famous subway system stayed home today to protest the layoff of 800 employees, costing the local economy an estimated CDN$76-million. The British government is seeking to cut its budget by 25 per cent to tackle an unprecedented deficit. In France rail workers, postal employees, and high school teachers staged a one-day strike to show their opposition to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. Two million protestors were expected at demonstrations across the country.