French and German rail strikes continue
Commuters in both France and Germany have today made their third journey into work without railways.
In France, union members voted yesterday afternoon to extend the two day strikes, while in Germany an agreement between unions and rail bosses over train driver pay seemed further off.
"My God, I really would like this to stop" said one Parisian commuter. "The first day I lost one day's work. Today I'm coming to my work but I'm really tired. I woke up at 4.15 this morning."
France's SNCF railway company said less than half its staff were on strike yesterday, against more than 60% on Wednesday, but workers from several rail unions voted to keep up the strike until today, at least. French rail unions said they had sent a letter to the government seeking a meeting today, but they said they were still not ready to hold direct negotiations. French Government Minister Xavier Bertrand said it was not possible to hold talks with unions while the stoppages continued. Although slightly more trains, buses and metro trains were operating today, many workers struggled for a third day to reach their office and traffic jams clogged roads leading into Paris from well before dawn.
The strike in France is the biggest test yet for French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who was elected on a pledge to do away with the special pension regimes, which allow some state sector employees to retire after 37.5 years of work against 40 years for everyone else.
In Germany, the GDL train drivers staged a 62-hour walk out. The strike has paralysed goods transport in much of the country and raised fears the dispute may have a lasting impact on the economy if no solution is reached soon. National rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, said yesterday that goods transport in eastern Germany had nearly come to a standstill and that carmakers in particular were alarmed because supplies of parts were not getting through.
A poll for top-selling Bild newspaper showed sympathy for the strikers at just over 40%, down from just over 50% at the beginning of October. Another poll showed support is still strong.
Schoolchildren piled into taxis in Berlin and buses were unusually full as commuters tried to avoid the disruption on the trains.
Question 1 (2 POINTS) indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) There were more French rail workers on strike on the second day of the strike than on the first day.
b) The French rail union wants to meet the government to discuss the strike.
c) People who work in private companies have to work for 40 years in France.
d) Car factories are worried about the strike.
Question 2 (2 POINTS) Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) How have people in France and Germany been travelling to work and school during the strike?
b) How much are German people in favour of the strike?
Question 3 (1,5 POINTS) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.
a) to block (paragraph 4) b)a promise (paragraph 5) c)to increase (paragraph 6)
Question 4 (1,5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) One Parisian commuter said “The first day I lost one day’s work and today I’m coming into work but I’m really tired”:
One Parisian commuter complained that he …..
b) “It is not possible to hold talks with unions while the stoppages continue.” said the French Minister.
The French Minister said “If the stoppages ……………….it………………………
c) Just over 40% of the German population supported the strike.
The strike…………………………
Question 5 (5 POINTS)
Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:
Do you think strikes are a good way of solving problems?
Self-Access Group. CEP Santander
