French postal workers strike over draft EU directive

The Paris-based LCI TV in French at 1500 GMT on 14 November reports that between 15 and 30 percent of French postal workers are on strike today to protest against a draft EU directive on the complete opening of the European postal market to competition from 2009.

LCI added that the postal workers were holding more than 50 rallies. A spokeswoman for the French postal service, La Poste, told the French news agency AFP that this morning fewer than 1 percent of post offices were closed.

Thierry Breton, economy and finance minister, told Assembly deputies that France remained committed to

The Paris-based LCI TV in French at 1500 GMT on 14 November reports that between 15 and 30 percent of French postal workers are on strike today to protest against a draft EU directive on the complete opening of the European postal market to competition fr

a universal postal service. In remarks made in the National Assembly in reply to a question and broadcast live by France 3 TV, he said that he wanted to reassure postal workers over the draft EU directive, as it took account of most of the government’s concerns. He added: “I wish to reiterate very clearly here that France is and will remain committed to maintaining a high-quality universal postal service at an affordable price across the entire territory.”