rhirty-nine steps :o aggression
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\ 39-HOUR working week :an, it seems, be the centre of almost as much dran.3 as the 19 steps in John Buchan's amous novel. Terms for its adoption were at the root of he French customs officers' action which trapped some 1,000 lorries at the border aetween France and Spain for ap to six days, as well as of he British train drivers' arikes which have clogged .oads leading to London for weeks.
There was, however, a ypical difference between he attitudes of the French Ind British towards the aituations. In France there vere threats to slash tyres and burn lorries bringing in :heap Spanish produce. The )lockade was relieved only vhen riot police took over hree key customs posts.
In Britain there were solated shouting matches )etween exasperated :ommuters and railwaymen aut otherwise the ASLEF vreckers have been treated vith cold contempt. In the vent, they have turned out to ha hauliers' and coach aperators' best friends.