Strikers shut down much of France's national rail service after rush hour Tuesday night, and millions of Paris commuters prepared to go without subways when the city's train crews join the walkout.
Unlike recent limited transportation strikes, rail unions set no time limit for the shutdown called to protest the conservative government's move to eliminate special rules that allow train drivers and certain other public workers to retire early.
President Nicolas Sarkozy's government insists the pension rules are outdated, unfair and too costly. Several opinion surveys suggest Sarkozy has public support. He vowed Tuesday not to give in to trade unions, which have defeated previous government attempts to loosen work rules.
Sarkozy stresses "his determination to carry out this reform" and hopes to implement them quickly, presidential spokesman David Martinon said.
Rail traffic shut down across France late Tuesday, and the SNCF rail network said only 15 percent to 20 percent of trains on major lines would run during the strike. It said traffic would likely be disrupted through the weekend and urged travelers to postpone trips.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21777493
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