Скачать или смотреть FRANCE/BELGIUM: TRUCKERS STRIKE OVER 35 HOUR WORKING WEEK

(10 Jan 2000) French/Nat
Truckers went on strike throughout France to protest new rules limiting them to a 35-hour work week.
They are already blocking borders with Belgium and Germany and are obstructing travel across the English channel.
The strike, which also protests a hike in diesel prices, follows similar actions in 1996 and 1997 and is set to last indefinitely.
It's a familiar sight across Europe.
Truck drivers blocking the E-19 motorway at Valenciennes - the border between France and Belgium.
The truckers' protest, which began early on Monday, snarled traffic across France, especially at border crossings and in northern cities.
In the Alps, truckers blocked off the Frejus tunnel linking France and Italy by parking their vehicles at the foot of the tunnel's access ramp overnight.
About 200 trucks slowed traffic at the Franco-Belgium frontier of Rekkem.
At the border with Spain in the town of Biriatou, protesters slowed traffic in both directions.
The strikes have also affected northern port cities such as Le Havre and the border with Germany near Strasbourg.
And the truck drivers say, the protest could continue indefinitely.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"It's certain that we are here on the orders of our leaders who are in a crisis meeting in Paris. We'll lift the blockade when they decide for the blockade to end - and we'll stay here several days if necessary."
SUPER CAPTION: Jean-Pierre Bekaert, Representative of the National Federation of Road Haulers
Truck owners organised the strike to protest against the government's decision to implement a 35-hour, shorter working week.
The plan is designed to ease unemployment, but truck owners say it could hurt their ability to compete with trucking companies throughout Europe.
Competition has increased immensely in the industry, partly because the national market is being gradually turned into a European single market.
Truck drivers were also protesting rising gasoline prices which have climbed 30% since January last year.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"In France, we have - at the moment - the problem of 35 hours. The 35 hours mean that our drivers will have a compensation break of 2 months per year. We have the other problem of drivers' salaries - as well as the other problem of winning back our drivers. What we want in France is to be treated like the rest of Europe."
SUPER CAPTION: Jean-Pierre Bekaert, Representative of the National Federation of Road Haulers
French truckers are among Europe's most militant.
In October, truckers blocked roads and highways as part of Europe-wide protests against plans to limit weekend driving in European Union countries.
In November 1998, a strike disrupted France and snarled traffic with neighboring nations for five days.
In 1996 truckers stopped work for 12 days.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Me, I'm not part of the action but I put up with the blockade organised by the transport company owners because they're fighting for the price of diesel and the 35 hour week."
SUPER CAPTION: Roger Lamtuesol, French Trucker
After three similar actions in four years, some commuters are resigned to the inconvenience.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Tom Wosepka, American car driver
But commuters' patience may be tested.
Truck drivers have for a long time experienced negative pressure on wages, working hours, physical conditions, jobs and safety.
Their actions to change working conditions to their satisfaction may continue for some time.

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