The 'phantom Metros' of yesterday became more real today; line
one is offering almost normal service.
A 'Return To Work' Restores Some of Paris' Public Transport Today
Before Talking Instead of Striking, Unions Stage Test-of-Strength Demo in
Paris This Afternoon
Richard Erickson's Paris Journal - Freelance Correspondent to the Paris Pages
All images copyright (c) December 1995 Richard Erickson - used with permission
Paris, Saturday, 16 .December 1995:- Late reports from yesterday, of the
general return to work of striking public sector employees in France, seem
to be true.
The problem at the moment is that all sources of 'news' available to your
reporter, are announcing different information. So, everything here that
follows, is anything less than exact. The facts are foggy to say the least,
and you will be able to confirm this if you are able to consult at least
any three sources.
Between two and four Metro lines are running today in Paris, with the main
line one, La Defense to Vincennes, apparently operating at about 90 percent
of normal. The other one to three lines are operating at lesser
percentages. All trains circulating may be reduced this afternoon. For more
RATP information, call 05 15 11 11 toll-free.
RATP's buses are supposed to be circulating at about 10 to 20 percent of
their normal schedules; which may be acceptable if you don't mind long
waits for buses that may never come.
The line 'A' of the RER, also running east-west, is supposed to be running
something around a 60 percent service.
The SNCF situation is full of contrast. The local trains are supposed to be
operating out of St Lazare more of less normally, but Gare de Lyon is still
at zero. On the other hand, the SNCF has announced that the Paris-Lyon TGV
will be making six round trips today - no reservations necessary - and this
train service uses the Gare de Lyon as its Paris terminus. For more SNCF
information, call 05 15 24 24 toll-free.
It will take the SNCF five days from today to restore full-service
throughout France, with priority being given to freight trains, as they are
'parked' all over the country, with hundreds of them piled up at the
frontiers in neighboring countries. The RATP in contrast, can technically
establish normal service almost immediately because most of its equipment
is not sitting out in the open all over the countryside as is SNCF's.
The beginning of the all-union 'test-of-strength' demonstration
started at 13:00 from the Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris today.
The Paris Manifestation
The big all-union demonstrations called for today throughout France either
have or are taking place at this moment. Preliminary estimates from
Marseille indicate that there were at least as many marchers there as in
the 'record' demo last Tuesday.
The pre-announced Paris demonstration, launched from the Place
Denfert-Rochereau at 13:00 today, but the number of marchers participating
is unknown, other than it is 'several tens of thousands.' This is the
'big-one' for the CGT and FO unions, which have called for an all-out
effort. As it is taking place on Saturday - this may allow union militants
to attend who were unable to march for lack of transport last Tuesday - on
account of reduced weekend traffic in the Paris region.
It looks like the government is getting what it wants: the transport
workers back on the job. Whether the transport workers will get what they
want from the government, to be discussed in round-table talk next week,
remains an open question.
If they are bitter today, to be returning to work without anything more
concrete than the promises they have received so far, after all this time;
then if they do not substantially get what they are seeking in discussions
to come - they will be unhappy as well. This time the strikes were more or
less spontaneously started from the bottom of the ladder; if there will be
a next time, union actions will be well-planned in advance.
Return to Richard Erickson's Paris Journal
Updated 12/95
