French postal workers protest privatization move
Tens of thousands of French postal workers went on strike on Tuesday (23rd September) in protest at plans to open the country’s mail network to private investment, post office operator La Poste said.
Postal unions say allowing private capital in would be the first step toward privatization, and a sell-out of a public institution most French are happy to see run by the state.
But its leadership says it needs 3 billion euros (USD 4.40 billion) to get into shape for competition when the sector opens fully in 2011 in accordance with European Union rules.
Any move towards privatization would require the postal service to become a public limited company instead of a branch of the civil service.
La Poste said in a statement that some 25 percent of employees were taking part in the one-day protest at around 0900 GMT. The operator employs around 300,000 in total.
The government has yet to voice an official position on the investment plan sought by the group’s management, but President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a commission to discuss the matter for two months from October.
Tens of thousands of French postal workers went on strike on Tuesday (23rd September) in protest at plans to open the country’s mail network to private investment, post office operator La Poste said.
Postal unions say allowing private capital in would be the first step toward privatization, and a sell-out of a public institution most French are happy to see run by the state.
An opinion survey by pollsters CSA published in communist daily Humanite showed 61 percent of respondents oppose the move, while 57 percent support the striking employees.
Entirely state-owned, France’s postal system is emblematic to many of an effective, tax-funded service whose blue- and yellow-clad carriers guarantee delivery even in remote areas.
But its leadership says it needs 3 billion euros (USD 4.40 billion) to get into shape for competition when the sector opens fully in 2011 in accordance with European Union rules.
Any move towards privatization would require the postal service to become a public limited company instead of a branch of the civil service.
La Poste said in a statement that some 25 percent of employees were taking part in the one-day protest at around 0900 GMT. The operator employs around 300,000 in total.
The government has yet to voice an official position on the investment plan sought by the group’s management, but President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a commission to discuss the matter for two months from October.
The postal system includes a popular savings branch where the majority of the country holds an account.
Postal unions say allowing private capital in would be the first step toward privatization, and a sell-out of a public institution most French are happy to see run by the state.
An opinion survey by pollsters CSA published in communist daily Humanite showed 61 percent of respondents oppose the move, while 57 percent support the striking employees.
Entirely state-owned, France’s postal system is emblematic to many of an effective, tax-funded service whose blue- and yellow-clad carriers guarantee delivery even in remote areas.
But its leadership says it needs 3 billion euros (USD 4.40 billion) to get into shape for competition when the sector opens fully in 2011 in accordance with European Union rules.
Any move towards privatization would require the postal service to become a public limited company instead of a branch of the civil service.
La Poste said in a statement that some 25 percent of employees were taking part in the one-day protest at around 0900 GMT. The operator employs around 300,000 in total.
The government has yet to voice an official position on the investment plan sought by the group’s management, but President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a commission to discuss the matter for two months from October.
The postal system includes a popular savings branch where the majority of the country holds an account.
