Traffic gridlock gripped the French capital Wednesday as President Nicolas Sarkozy's promised labor reforms went head to head with transport and utility unions who have launched an open-ended nationwide strike. One in 15 subway trains and about 15 percent of buses were operating Wednesday but the strike halted commuter trains around the Paris area, stranding many suburban commuters. Roads into the city were jammed as commuters turned to their cars. "I'm fed up with this," said one woman at Saint Lazare train station, where electronic boards informed passengers of severe disruptions to service. Seven labor unions went on strike Tuesday evening, angry over Sarkozy's plans to reform pensions. The reforms focus on special pension plans which allow some workers -- mostly train drivers -- to retire as early as 50.
See "Sarkozy's union fight halts France", CNN, CNN, November 13, 2007