Paris postal workers exemplify climate of unease in public sector

Yesterday French postal workers continued a general unlimited strike, which began on Monday after calls from five union organisations. According to directors of La Poste, the national postal services group, fewer employees took part this time (24 per cent, compared with 41 per cent on Monday). The strike is part of protests against the planned restructuring of the group’s courier services in the 6th “arrondissement” of Paris. La Poste wants to automate sorting centres in the area and abolish the second daily delivery of mail. What is essentially a local conflict is being followed closely because of a more widespread atmosphere of social unrest in the French public sector.