France - General strike?
Discussion
emicen said:
Unlikely they will hear about it. I went looking for an update on the fuel blockades at half their refineries yesterday, nothing on the BBC site expect an article from Tuesday. Clearly the problem had gone away yesterday [although less EU keen media outlets were still talking about it].
From my point of view not much has been mentioned of the rioting caused by labour reforms in Belgium either, save for a mention the Police chief got donkey punched on the back of the head leaving him sufficiently sparkled to need hospital treatment.
The article on a further 10.8bn EURO funding package for Greece managed to miss the IMF report released the same day saying its still a complete basket case with no adequate attempt made at reforms and will continue to get even more indebted unless significant haircuts are taken and repayment terms seriously altered.
About seven years ago I made a complaint to the BBC that their news favoured the USA happenings rather than that of the EU and other European countries. Not only that, they favoured the commonwealth countries. As I always try and do in these case, I produced evidence over a week. To me there was no argument that the USA's domestic problems were favoured. From my point of view not much has been mentioned of the rioting caused by labour reforms in Belgium either, save for a mention the Police chief got donkey punched on the back of the head leaving him sufficiently sparkled to need hospital treatment.
The article on a further 10.8bn EURO funding package for Greece managed to miss the IMF report released the same day saying its still a complete basket case with no adequate attempt made at reforms and will continue to get even more indebted unless significant haircuts are taken and repayment terms seriously altered.
I got a rather convoluted reply, but essentially to the effect that they take viewing figures into account on all matters, but it did not overrule 'fair coverage'. They too produced evidence, much of it to counter my allegations. So we agreed to disagree.
The lack of coverage of the EU has been the norm for many years. Recently the BBC seems to have increased its reporting, but not by much.
It's having an effect on us already. One of our suppliers can't get the raw materials they need from France to manufacture our poly oil containers. We have to take a different design and spend a fortune on new tooling for our capping machine, as I cannot take the risk they'll get production back on track before we use our current stocks.
The next issue will be getting our base oil and bulk additive from their refineries.
The next issue will be getting our base oil and bulk additive from their refineries.
Regarding Derek's point above re BBC coverage, it's worth remembering that it takes 2 years to elect a US President with their Primaries etc. Conversely it takes about 2 mins to elect an EU President as they don't bother asking their electorate.
However, life here in France goes on pretty much as normal. There were issues last weekend regarding fuel, we now have about 80% of stations wth fuel, so while you may have to queue for a while, there really is not a recognisable problem for motorist.
For people travelling on holiday, at no time has there been a shortage of fuel on the Autoroutes. They are a priority, France is quite used to dealing with strikes. TGVs are running, you may have problems on a TER. 16 Nuclear power stations are on strike, so that just leaves the other 75% of Nuclear capacity, plus all the Green measures and a thick cable linking the UK and the rest of Europe.
I do believe that this is France's equivalent of the miners strike in the 70's. Hollande has nothing to lose, he is hated anyway. He called-in the CRS to break the blockade of the refineries, troops can shift the 80-day fuel reserves, if needs be. France is still under a state of emergency from the November attacks, so the Government is holding a strong suit of cards if it really wants to solve labour laws once and for all. The problem for the CGT is that it is summer and their members will want cash in their pockets for their holidays in August.
If you hear that Euro 2016 has been cancelled then start to panic. In the meantime treat the tosh in UK media as a part of another agenda that will end on 24th June.
However, life here in France goes on pretty much as normal. There were issues last weekend regarding fuel, we now have about 80% of stations wth fuel, so while you may have to queue for a while, there really is not a recognisable problem for motorist.
For people travelling on holiday, at no time has there been a shortage of fuel on the Autoroutes. They are a priority, France is quite used to dealing with strikes. TGVs are running, you may have problems on a TER. 16 Nuclear power stations are on strike, so that just leaves the other 75% of Nuclear capacity, plus all the Green measures and a thick cable linking the UK and the rest of Europe.
I do believe that this is France's equivalent of the miners strike in the 70's. Hollande has nothing to lose, he is hated anyway. He called-in the CRS to break the blockade of the refineries, troops can shift the 80-day fuel reserves, if needs be. France is still under a state of emergency from the November attacks, so the Government is holding a strong suit of cards if it really wants to solve labour laws once and for all. The problem for the CGT is that it is summer and their members will want cash in their pockets for their holidays in August.
If you hear that Euro 2016 has been cancelled then start to panic. In the meantime treat the tosh in UK media as a part of another agenda that will end on 24th June.
rdjohn said:
Regarding Derek's point above re BBC coverage, it's worth remembering that it takes 2 years to elect a US President with their Primaries etc. Conversely it takes about 2 mins to elect an EU President as they don't bother asking their electorate.
However, life here in France goes on pretty much as normal. There were issues last weekend regarding fuel, we now have about 80% of stations wth fuel, so while you may have to queue for a while, there really is not a recognisable problem for motorist.
For people travelling on holiday, at no time has there been a shortage of fuel on the Autoroutes. They are a priority, France is quite used to dealing with strikes. TGVs are running, you may have problems on a TER. 16 Nuclear power stations are on strike, so that just leaves the other 75% of Nuclear capacity, plus all the Green measures and a thick cable linking the UK and the rest of Europe.
I do believe that this is France's equivalent of the miners strike in the 70's. Hollande has nothing to lose, he is hated anyway. He called-in the CRS to break the blockade of the refineries, troops can shift the 80-day fuel reserves, if needs be. France is still under a state of emergency from the November attacks, so the Government is holding a strong suit of cards if it really wants to solve labour laws once and for all. The problem for the CGT is that it is summer and their members will want cash in their pockets for their holidays in August.
If you hear that Euro 2016 has been cancelled then start to panic. In the meantime treat the tosh in UK media as a part of another agenda that will end on 24th June.
Honestly !! I have a horrible feeling that you are underestimating the potential. My reading is that the French hold great store in their Working rights and conditions, can't see them bending over.However, life here in France goes on pretty much as normal. There were issues last weekend regarding fuel, we now have about 80% of stations wth fuel, so while you may have to queue for a while, there really is not a recognisable problem for motorist.
For people travelling on holiday, at no time has there been a shortage of fuel on the Autoroutes. They are a priority, France is quite used to dealing with strikes. TGVs are running, you may have problems on a TER. 16 Nuclear power stations are on strike, so that just leaves the other 75% of Nuclear capacity, plus all the Green measures and a thick cable linking the UK and the rest of Europe.
I do believe that this is France's equivalent of the miners strike in the 70's. Hollande has nothing to lose, he is hated anyway. He called-in the CRS to break the blockade of the refineries, troops can shift the 80-day fuel reserves, if needs be. France is still under a state of emergency from the November attacks, so the Government is holding a strong suit of cards if it really wants to solve labour laws once and for all. The problem for the CGT is that it is summer and their members will want cash in their pockets for their holidays in August.
If you hear that Euro 2016 has been cancelled then start to panic. In the meantime treat the tosh in UK media as a part of another agenda that will end on 24th June.
s2art said:
FredClogs said:
Here's the world productivity rankings by country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
You'll see that in 2013 (latest figure maybe?) France was almost 20% more productive than the UK, that's GDP per hour worked.
I think they'd be quite right to suppose there isn't much wrong with their employment laws etc... Maybe we should be doing more of what they're doing?
What was their unemployment rate in 2013? Its easy to have higher productivity if you make life difficult for employers but at the cost of high unemployment.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
You'll see that in 2013 (latest figure maybe?) France was almost 20% more productive than the UK, that's GDP per hour worked.
I think they'd be quite right to suppose there isn't much wrong with their employment laws etc... Maybe we should be doing more of what they're doing?
Digga said:
s2art said:
FredClogs said:
Here's the world productivity rankings by country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
You'll see that in 2013 (latest figure maybe?) France was almost 20% more productive than the UK, that's GDP per hour worked.
I think they'd be quite right to suppose there isn't much wrong with their employment laws etc... Maybe we should be doing more of what they're doing?
What was their unemployment rate in 2013? Its easy to have higher productivity if you make life difficult for employers but at the cost of high unemployment.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by...
You'll see that in 2013 (latest figure maybe?) France was almost 20% more productive than the UK, that's GDP per hour worked.
I think they'd be quite right to suppose there isn't much wrong with their employment laws etc... Maybe we should be doing more of what they're doing?
I know an ex director of RR Aero he told me they sold of a subsiduary in Northern France as they couldn't make money due to staff difficulties,unions and general disinterest in pushing the business forward.
smifffymoto said:
Anne Hidalgo has already said she would welcome businesses that relocate if there is Brexit.Which company would want to step into this basket case of employment law.
I know an ex director of RR Aero he told me they sold of a subsiduary in Northern France as they couldn't make money due to staff difficulties,unions and general disinterest in pushing the business forward.
I have a French mate who works for an Anglo-French engineering firm and has lived and worked both here and in France who paints a similar picture and believes that basically, without major reform, the French economy is headed down a cul de sac.I know an ex director of RR Aero he told me they sold of a subsiduary in Northern France as they couldn't make money due to staff difficulties,unions and general disinterest in pushing the business forward.
I have another French friend, living and working in the UK who echoes his opinion. She's worked in her industry globally, so knows the score.
Twenty years or so ago Australian wine was making headway into the European consumer market, up until that point the number one wine was French. In the face of rising stiff competition for mass makes wine what did the French do in terms of their business strategy. nothing, sweet nothing, except tell the world that Australian wine was so very inferior to theirs. Arrogance cost them dearly regarding that issue, they dig in with stubborn determination and costly outcomes.
Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
crankedup said:
Twenty years or so ago Australian wine was making headway into the European consumer market, up until that point the number one wine was French. In the face of rising stiff competition for mass makes wine what did the French do in terms of their business strategy. nothing, sweet nothing, except tell the world that Australian wine was so very inferior to theirs. Arrogance cost them dearly regarding that issue, they dig in with stubborn determination and costly outcomes.
Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
crankedup said:
Twenty years or so ago Australian wine was making headway into the European consumer market, up until that point the number one wine was French. In the face of rising stiff competition for mass makes wine what did the French do in terms of their business strategy. nothing, sweet nothing, except tell the world that Australian wine was so very inferior to theirs. Arrogance cost them dearly regarding that issue, they dig in with stubborn determination and costly outcomes.
Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
Like Bordeaux is now le cite du vin according to the new multi million Euro purpose built experience down at Bacalan.Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
Jockman said:
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.
Is that white wine? I really like that shardony stuff. You can even get it in boxes with a tap thing. el stovey said:
Jockman said:
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.
Is that white wine? I really like that shardony stuff. You can even get it in boxes with a tap thing. 
Jockman said:
crankedup said:
Twenty years or so ago Australian wine was making headway into the European consumer market, up until that point the number one wine was French. In the face of rising stiff competition for mass makes wine what did the French do in terms of their business strategy. nothing, sweet nothing, except tell the world that Australian wine was so very inferior to theirs. Arrogance cost them dearly regarding that issue, they dig in with stubborn determination and costly outcomes.
Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.Broadbrush remark of course but so reminds me of the U.K. in the 1960/70/80s.
I take your point completely, although I was meaning the mass market end at £6 -- £15 a bottle, again the Aussies have since lost their way somewhat.
To be clear, I lifted the info' tasting notes from the aforementioned wine, never tried it myself
. But severely now tempted.el stovey said:
Jockman said:
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.
Is that white wine? I really like that shardony stuff. You can even get it in boxes with a tap thing. el stovey said:
Jockman said:
To be fair, mon ami, their wine is >still< the best in the world. I opened a bottle of 2000 Chateau Cabrieres Prestige on Wednesday night just to remind myself. In great shape but a wee bit of sediment.
Is that white wine? I really like that shardony stuff. You can even get it in boxes with a tap thing. 
crankedup said:
Ah yes Chateau Cabrieres Prestige, I recall that peppery red berried vanilla, smoke and herbal characteristics. Blending beautifully with the full bodied, soft, round, black raspberry and cherry filled personality. Truly wonderful and at £40 or so a bottle, sensational.
I take your point completely, although I was meaning the mass market end at £6 -- £15 a bottle, again the Aussies have since lost their way somewhat.
To be clear, I lifted the info' tasting notes from the aforementioned wine, never tried it myself. But severely now tempted.
Hell, it's Friday, you've had a hard week winding everyone up, HIGNFY is on tonight (hosted by Katherine Ryan), so is Gogglebox......go for it !! I take your point completely, although I was meaning the mass market end at £6 -- £15 a bottle, again the Aussies have since lost their way somewhat.
To be clear, I lifted the info' tasting notes from the aforementioned wine, never tried it myself
. But severely now tempted.
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