Strikes in France
Strikes in France are quite common as the French are given that right in the French constitution. From what I've seen, the public sector experiences the most strikes with probably one each year. They usually don't last very long but some can. A major strike was in 1996, which lasted for over a month. Another major strike, which was more recent, was a pension strike which occured late 2007 - early 2008.
You've probably often heard about transport workers striking as it usually hits the US news, but there are strikes in some other sectors which actually kind of amaze me. There have been teachers and doctors striking! It sounds kind of scary to without a doctor but they usually last a short while.
Strikes are part of the democratic process and allows workers the medium to get what they deserve. We've experienced strikes in the US, but it seems that they are getting fewer are further between. There are a lot of things that I would deem "unfair" that happen to family members in the workplace back in the US, but it just seems no-one collectively does anything about things anymore.
You've probably often heard about transport workers striking as it usually hits the US news, but there are strikes in some other sectors which actually kind of amaze me. There have been teachers and doctors striking! It sounds kind of scary to without a doctor but they usually last a short while.
Strikes are part of the democratic process and allows workers the medium to get what they deserve. We've experienced strikes in the US, but it seems that they are getting fewer are further between. There are a lot of things that I would deem "unfair" that happen to family members in the workplace back in the US, but it just seems no-one collectively does anything about things anymore.
I can remember watching these strikes on TV and often wondered what it would be like here in the US. Wouldn't that be something if the gas stations all went on strike because of high prices?
Strikes in the public sector happen much more often than once a year. Some of them are just plain silly.
In the past few years alone, postmen were about to go on strike because the 10 seconds they took to put on their jackets were part of their free time.
Even worse, train drivers did a week long strike when the government wanted to revoke a yearly bonus linked to the hazardous nature of coal handling. All french trains have been 100% electric for 40 years now.
So yes, strikes are part of the french "art-de-vivre" and can be a real pain in the a.. sometimes.
But I would not give up my right to tell my president to behave, not for all the gold in the world.
I believe we can call the French strikes the national sport.
Over 600,000 council workers will be on strike for today and tomorrow in the UK.
What I'm concern about is strikes are conducted not as the last resort but often as a show of strength before any serious negotiations actually take place.
That, in my opinion, is not what the right to strike enshrine...
It is sad huh? We all feel so wronged about things but nobody EVER does anything to right the situation. Nobody stands for what they believe anymore, we are all just a bunch of followers. We hate it but we don't change it... It's sad.
There have been a few strikes here in Canada recently and they have lasted for a month or two. My Dad has been on strike before and if the Union I belong to doesn't reach a good deal at contract renewal time I might learn what it is like to be on strike. Unions have there purposes and in some workplaces they should be mandatory. Some managers just treat their people like crap all the time and expect the world of them. It is interesting to learn about how workers unions have made an impact other than on the North American continent.
Strikes are less and less frequent in the US because of the reduced role of labor unions. Without the power of unions to enforce contracts, companies frequently offer the employees a choice - put up with things as they are, or quit. Given the excesses unions were involved in during earlier times in our nation's history, I'm not sure if the current state of affairs is right or not, but it certainly tips the scales in favor of owners.
-MR
@mike riley,
I see the balance between the unions and owners as a see-saw situation. It'll tilt towards the other side when one party gets too... powerful (for the lack of a better word).
We are the the land of strikes, hikes, and ousters! Democracy's gone democrazy, sadly. T__T
Thanks for dropping by anyway. I hope we could be EC buddies. ^^; You could also join my easy-to-win contests if you want. You'll get a photo of the majestic Diamond Mountain in North Korea taken by me in Summer of 2007. ^^; Cheers
here in the UK we tend to get a lot of strikes too. We have recently had school staff striking and lorry drivers and we have had medical staff strike in the past. It can be pretty scary but the government always make sure that no one is put in danger.