Wednesday, October 20, 2010

my attempt at explaining the strike craziness

My plans were drastically changed today (from going to meet the girls in Vieux Lyon, to sitting at home) because.... yep, you guessed it- the strikes, the protesters, and the violent rioting. So, because I haven't done much today but enjoy a really fun care package from Victor's sister Valerie, go for a run to the castle, pick up toilet paper, and eat goldfish and ravioli, I'm going to attempt to break down the strike that has turned ugly.

1. Proposed Reform by (right of center) President Sarkozy: Raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, provided one has worked for 41.5 years, and raise the age one can receive the pension from 65 to 67.

2. Why Unions are Striking: Unions (teachers, oil workers, transit workers, trash collectors, postal workers, etc.) are striking and protesting the reforms because it is hard for many people to reach this 41.5 year mark, especially if they have been laid off, taken time off to care for children, or if they work part-time. They are also striking because there are certain industries that can retire earlier, and other industries that may be more physically taxing that must work 41.5 years before retirement. They are striking because they believe the government can raise taxes on the most wealthy to help aid in the pension deficit instead of overworking the "already overworked." And ultimately, many are afraid that this reform will lead to other reforms to their hard-fought for social liberties.

3. How Can the Oil Refineries Strike?: The oil refineries are part of the public sector, and are therefore directly effected by the reforms. They have been blocking deliveries of oil to the refineries, creating blockades in front of the entrances to prevent people from going to work, and they have rebuilt these blockades after the police have forcefully taken them down.

4. What Impact is This Having on Transportation?: So far, 4,000 of the 13,000 gas stations have had to close. People are lining up to fill their tanks, worried that gas will run out. French officials have said, however, that this is almost impossible, that there is a law against hoarding gas, and that there is plenty to go around. As far as air traffic is concerned, many flights were canceled yesterday due to airport strikes. But only some of the long-haul flights have been canceled coming into Paris due to the lack of fuel. The government has said that this will no longer be a problem because of the reserves and because 3 of the oil refinery blockades have been broken by use of swat team-like force. The government has stated that they respect their right to strike, but not when it interferes with those people who want to go to work. *Just out of curiosity, I checked the Dulles airport and Charles de Gaulle airport website to check if any flights into Paris have been canceled, and the 3 that I found were scheduled to leave on time (and one was an Air France carrier).

5. Why Students are Striking: High School students are striking, protesting, and barricading their schools because they are concerned that if older people work longer, they will have less job opportunities (which are already slim). Many students, after graduating from high school or university, cannot find a stable job until their late 20's and must rely on internships and continuing education before finding a job. If they can't begin working until their late 20's, working for 41.5 years will have them working until a much older age.

6. Why are the Student Demonstrations Turning Violent: France has a history of striking for "their rights." Students know that in 1968, young people took to the streets to fight for social change. (This is the revolution that brought about the 35 hour work-week, the 2 month paid vacation, better school facilities, paid maternity leave, etc.) Students chant slogans straight from 1968. But the difference now is that this mindset, mixed with the growing unrest from the banlieue (or suburbs, which in France's case is where the more immigrant, lower-middle class population resides) is creating out-of-hand and violent rioting. Students are egging on police, throwing rocks, over-turning cars, lighting things on fire, looting stores, etc.

7. How is France Reacting to the Violent Rioting: The government is trying to blame the unions for starting this, even encouraging the unrest. The unions are trying keep the 2 cases separate. The socialist party (in favor of the striking) is asking that if students demonstrate, that they walk peacefully. The French Prime Minister has called the acts of violence unacceptable and have asked parents to step in and keep their children home for their own safety. French police have had to arrest hundreds of rioters, throw tear-gas to disperse crowds, and stand guard while firefighters put out fires around the city (this city, btw, is Lyon... Paris is also having similar riots, and other cities around France are dealing with smaller scale versions of the same thing).

8. What's Next?: The bill is supposed to be voted on for the last time on Thursday. High schoolers have already planned demonstrations to be held in front of the Senate building and oil-workers have said that they will continue to strike even if it is passed. The government has made some minor amendments to their bill, but have also said they are not going to back down or slow down the discussion over the reform. Energy companies have also started striking, causing the government to import energy. On the greater whole, most strikers are unhappy, but will return to work after it is passed.

9. How is this effecting Moi (hehe, obviously this is most important): I am supposed to be going to Amboise on Friday morning at 6:30am, for my trip to the Loire Valley. As long as the bus is running by my apartment (which it did all day today even with the other transportation issues) and my train isn't canceled, we'll make it there ok. Even if we have to wait for a later train, we'll most likely make it there. Once we are there, we shouldn't have any trouble with our tour (hopefully the tour bus has gotten gas from one of the open gas stations), and I will hopefully be able to get back to Lyon on Sunday... as long as the train station is open and the metro is working on the way home.

Then, hopefully, Maggie, Thomas, and Heather will have no flight cancellations or delays, and I will leave for Paris on the train without anything being canceled. Even if my train is canceled, they have been running 2/3 trains, so I will get one up there eventually. And finally, hopefully, I will find Maggie+, we will rent our car, and have no problem finding gas stations to get ourselves around France.

I'm kind of asking for a lot.... and hoping that a lot of little details will work out... but I am hoping that because the Toussaint vacation is coming up that at least the rioting teenagers will go off for vacation with their families...

Here's to hoping! Now- I need to get ready for my last school visit with Berliet until after the break (I won't see them again until Nov. 4!).

Reste Cool!

ps- Even though I was stuck at home today, at least it was a pretty evening to watch the sunset. This is the view from my apartment!

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