PARIS (AFP) - France's state-owned rail operator reported widespread sabotage on the country's high-speed TGV rail network as talks opened Wednesday aimed at ending a crippling eight-day transport strike.
As the national stoppage dragged into its eighth day, unions, management and government representatives sat down to thrash out a deal over President Nicolas Sarkozy‘s proposals for overhauling pensions.
But just hours before the talks began, state-owned rail operator SNCF revealed what it described as a "concerted campaign of sabotage" on the TGV network aimed at stopping services resuming.
In a statement, SNCF listed several acts of arson, including a "very large" blaze on the Atlantic branch that damaged a large section of the signal network.
The statement did not specify who might have been responsible for the attacks.
Union leaders were quick to condemn the incidents, with Didier Le Reste of the General Labour Confederation (CGT) denouncing what he called "indescribable acts of cowardice."
On Tuesday a defiant Sarkozy vowed to stand by his economic reforms and urged strikers to return to work.
"We will not yield and we will not retreat," the president said.
"Let there be no doubt. What needs to be done will be done. What needs to be accomplished will be accomplished. The French elected me to do it, and I will not betray them."
It was the president's first public address since the start of the railway workers' action.
On Tuesday, the transport workers were joined by hundreds of thousands of striking teachers, nurses, tax officials and other state employees demanding pay rises and an end to job cuts.
Mass rallies against the government were held in cities nationwide, with 30,000 marching with banners across central Paris. Francois Chereque, the leader of a union that favours a compromise, had to leave the Paris demonstration in haste after being booed.
SNCF predicted a slightly improved service on Wednesday - with around 400 out of 700 TGV fast trains running - while the RATP Paris metro operator expected about one train in four.
The number of strikers has been in steady decline since the dispute over pensions reform began, and on Tuesday stood at 27 percent at SNCF and 18 percent at RATP.
Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand said he was hopeful the talks would herald the end of the strike. "I think the conditions are there for everyone to get out of it honorably," he said.
Le Reste said the negotiations would be the start of a month-long process.
"Some strike meetings around the country have voted to suspend the action, others to keep it going to maintain pressure on the negotiations. Our decision rests with them," he said.
Sarkozy argued that the start of negotiations should also mark the end of the strike.
"Everyone must ask whether it is right to continue a strike which has already cost users - and strikers - so dearly," he said.
"I think of those millions of French people who after a day of work have no bus, metro or train to take them home and who are tired of being used as hostages."
Ministers have said they will not yield on the core of the reform which is to increase contribution periods for the 500,000 beneficiaries of "special" pensions systems so that they are in line with the rest of the population. Currently they retire two and a half years earlier.
The government has suggested salary rises and top-up pension schemes could sweeten the pill, and SNCF management has said a 90 million euro a year financial package is available if the strikers return to work.
The rail strike is costing up to 400 million euros (590 million dollars) a day, the government says.
FACT BOX
A Glance at State of Strikes, Protests in France, EU
(AP) - Strikes and demonstrations in progress or planned to protest a range of reforms that have made November a month of challenges for French President Nicolas Sarkozy:
- NATIONAL TRAIN SERVICE: About one fast train in two running within France on Tuesday. Eurostar service to London is normal. Thalys service from Belgium nearly normal. One train in three to Germany and Switzerland.
- PARIS METRO, BUS SERVICES: Gradual improvement in Metro service despite serious disturbances Tuesday, with service ranging from one line running normally to two shut down entirely. Up to 44 percent of buses are running.
- TEACHERS, CIVIL SERVANTS: More than 300,000 teachers - nearly 40 percent of the total - went on strike Tuesday, joined by other sectors of the 5 million-strong civil servant corps, including employees of the postal service, tax office, hospitals and the phone service France Telecom. Many schools and public offices were closed.
- AIR TRAFFIC: Striking air traffic controllers caused delays averaging 45 minutes at Paris' two airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, affecting a variety of flights, from short domestic routes to long-haul.
- ENERGY: About one employee in seven at France's main energy utilities, Electricite de France and Gaz de France, was on strike, the companies said, adding that it was able to maintain ‘'continuity of service'‘ to customers.
- NEWSPAPERS: No national dailies were available due to strike by printers and distributors pressing for pay hikes and protesting job cuts after reorganization of the company charged with distribution.
- UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: Students protesting a new law that will allow establishments to seek private funding have demonstrated at schools for two weeks, with classes in dozens of universities disrupted Wednesday. High school and university students are calling for another demonstration Thursday.
- TOBACCO SELLERS: To demonstrate Wednesday to protest government plan to forbid cigarettes inside cafes, restaurants, nightclubs starting Jan. 1.
- JUDGES, LAWYERS: To hold day of action Nov. 29 to protest government redistricting plan for courts that will cut costs by closing dozens of courthouses around France.
