France

Marseilles port workers strike

Article published on the 2008-04-23 Latest update 2008-04-23 18:36 TU

Striking port workers in Le Havre.
(Photo : AFP)

France’s largest container port, Marseilles, was paralysed Wednesday as workers walked off the job protesting a government privatisation plan. The CGT union called for a 24-hour strike to protest a second wave of port worker privatisations, which was approved by the French National Assembly the same day.

All container traffic was halted in the southern port, though passenger ferries were allowed to continue on schedule.

 

The workers in Marseille were supported by their colleagues who blocked access to cargo terminals in Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Saint-Nazaire, as well as setting up partial barricades in Le Havre, Rouen and Dunkirk.

 

A first wave of port privatisation was implemented in the 1990s and this second wave will make France’s ports more ompetitive, leading to job creation, Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau claims.

 

Work will resume Thursday but the CGT leaving its options open on further strike action.