Commuters walloped by strikes in France, London

[warpig]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100907/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_europe_strikes;_ylt=AncY0TZu8NYq68Ta2Rqd_Uuve8U F;_ylu=X3oDMTNsYjAzb3A2BGFzc2V0Ay9zL2FwLzIwMTAwOTA 3L2FwX29uX2JpX2dlL2V1X2V1cm9wZV9zdHJpa2VzBGNjb2RlA 21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNgRwb3MDNgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N 0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2NvbW11dGVyc3dhbA--


Strikes hobbled public transit across France and in London on Tuesday, with tourists and commuters bearing the brunt of a wave of discontent over government austerity measures.

French unions challenged unpopular President Nicolas Sarkozy with a major nationwide strike over plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, cutting service on trains, planes, buses and subways. Post offices and schools also shut down.

The French strike coincides with the start of debate in parliament over a plan to overhaul the money-losing pension system so it will break even in 2018. The government insists the reform is essential as people are living longer, and it has urged everyone to show "courage" as it tries to chip away at the huge national debt.

The French retirement age of 60 is already among the lowest in Europe. In contrast, neighboring Germany has decided to bump up the retirement age from 65 to 67 and the U.S. Social Security system is gradually raising the retirement age to 67 as well.

Aaah, Unions gotta love 'em.

[marv]

That's really the least of it.

The AFL-CIO and SEIU have agreed to combine their executive boards. So welcome to the National Union of the United States, a "union" that can paralyze America at a whim like they do in France, Greece and other Euro-Pee-On countries.

[ironhorsedriver]

It's time to say, " Return to work or your fired, no exceptions. As a strike has occurred, our contract with the Union no longer exists. If you don't want the job, someone else does. Thanks."