'Black Tuesday' strike in France
A one-day national strike has caused massive disruption to transport, schools and industry across France. The strikers oppose government economic policies, including plans to privatize state firms, and complain that low pay is eroding their purchasing power. They are angry at high unemployment and government reforms, which have made it easier for small companies to hire and fire staff.
See "'Black Tuesday' strike in France", BBC News, BBC News Online, October 3, 2005