Industrial Relations in France‑ Environments and Ideology

I‑ Recent Conflict

Major strike of 1995 - largest since 1968

•Began November 24 on railroads

•Gradually other transport and then other public sector workers joined

•At peak country near standstill and over 1/3 of civil servants on strike

•Led by FO and CGT. CFDT leadership opposed

•Polls showed most Frenchmen sympathetic to strikers, not government

•Ended after three weeks with government delaying action on rail cuts and retirement but going ahead with health changes and welfare reforms

•5 million work days lost


	Began November 24 on railroads
	Rail workers protesting proposed cuts in rail service and retirement and welfare systems

	At peak country near standstill and over 1/3 of civil servants on strike
	Strikers included subway workers, electricity workers, telephone workers, hospital workers, doctors, teachers, flight attendants, air traffic controllers and dock workers