French strikes hit rail services

PARIS, France -- Rail users faced disruption in France on Tuesday amid a series of strikes also affecting postal services, hospitals and museums.

Eurostar services were pared down along with reductions in national and local services as employees of the state-run SNCF train authority went on strike in Paris and 27 other cities.

The industrial action on the railways is part of a larger action by state employees bidding to raise issues including pay and retirement. Demonstrations were accompanying the protests around the country.

The head of the Workers' Force Union, Marc Blondel, told the Les Echoes newspaper that the international situation had led to questions about maintaining the national day of strikes.

But he added: "It is the moment to make our demands heard ... and to get some commitments. The situation wasn't very good before September 11."

The Eurostar was set to run two out of three trains, and only half of all fast trains are expected to operate normally. Some suburban trains and metro lines in Paris are partially affected, with two unions striking on the capital's local RATP service.

Other action was taking place at hospitals, postal services and included the ninth consective day of closings at French museums.

Museum workers have been in a tug of war with the Culture Ministry over how to put in place the shortened 35-hour working-week that Prime Minister Lionel Jospin's government established as a means to create employment.