It looks like the French have something to be thankful for today:
PARIS — Initial votes by striking French rail workers on Thursday suggested a large majority were returning to work after a nine-day walkout against President Nicolas Sarkozy's retirement reforms that crippled transport networks.
Votes to end the strike were returned in 42 of 45 meetings by rail workers around the country, the SNCF rail authority said. Dozens more meetings were being held throughout the day.
Initial figures indicated the strike was coming to an end after negotiations opened Wednesday.
"We think a dynamic of return to work has begun," SNCF spokeswoman Julie Vion said.
If Sarkozy manages to face down the transport union, he'll have really accomplished something--and I'd expect the other public-service unions to fall into line. The real problem, as in 1968, will be the student protestors. But I've seen these kids, and they aren't in the same league* as their parents (grandparents!) from the Sixties. They'll cave, too.
*Read that as faint praise or outright hostility, depending on which way your politics run.
Sarkozy has begun to demonstrate how superior to his loathesome predecessor he is becoming. The Sark has a backbone and a subtle sense of how to manage power that his corrupt predecessor lacked. I can't wait for the next round of reforms.
Let's hope those kids aren't in th same self-absorbed narcissistic, wanna do whatever they feel like & not have to pay the bill league.
Even the immortals in Zardoz finally got a clue.
