Read this article in:
12 September, 2005
French affiliate FCE-CFDT and other electric power workers’ unions sent a strong message against privatisation 8 April with strikes in three French cities that shut down electric supplies. The strikes in Toulouse, Marseilles and Lille were response to the government’s intent to spin off Electricité de France (EDF) and Gas de France into private utilities. In northern France, workers also pulled the plug on power supplies for a brief period in four cities. And in Paris, demonstrators pelted EDF headquarters and France Conseil d’Etat with used light bulbs. FCE-CFDT is calling for a full debate in Parliament over energy policy. It is advocating security of power supplies, promotion of renewables and reductions in general consumption.