French unions threaten hours action
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• UK hauliers should prepare for more French lorry blockades.
At last week's Franco-British Transport Forum, Joel Le Coq, general-secretary of the French transport union CFDT, warned that conflict is likely over working hours.
"Exemptions should no longer apply to road transport where the European Directive on Work Time is concerned," he said. "Regulations should be simplified for defining minimum rest time and maximum driving time for all drivers. We categorically refuse to have every rule countered by some exemption or allowance made. There can be no free competition unless it is backed up by rules that get applied."
French unions are already preparing to throw their weight behind an "international day of action" on 8 September to protest about long working hours.
Organised by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the protest will involve demos and convoys. "Unions across Europe will take what action they deem appropriate," says ITF assistant general-secretary Graham Brothers. "There may be the odd blockade."
Le Coq told the forum: "French road transport unionists are not wed to the idea of ever-increasing industrial action...but if nothing is done to level the playing field the situation will only get worse."