France euro strike threatened

Euro launch strike: Talks are continuing

PARIS, France -- Banking unions are threatening to call a January 2 strike -- just one day after the introduction of the euro currency.

And with New Year's Day a bank holiday the strike could disrupt distribution of the new coins and notes as January 2 will be the first day banks can be open to dispense the currency.

Although the currency has been used in financial markets for two years the notes and coins will not be used in shops until January 1, 2002.

The planned strike, in protest at pay and work conditions, was backed by unions representing staff at banks in the French Association of Banks (AFB), which comprises all the country's private sector banks.

Pierre Gendre, Secretary General of the Force Ouvriere union, told Reuters news agency: "We are heading for a strike from January 2."

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Union representatives were due to formally call the strike after further meetings later on Wednesday, if no immediate breakthrough emerged.

Finance Minister Laurent Fabius was guarded when asked by reporters whether the strike could hit the introduction of the euro.

"I think there will be talks between the banks and the unions. But the introduction of the euro is a historic act," Fabius said.

France is one of 12 European Union countries formally introducing the currency on January 1.

In a separate industrial dispute, workers at the only French production site for euro notes and coins have been on strike since November 15.

Fabius sent riot police in on Monday to prevent picket lines from halting delivery trucks taking coins to and from the mint in Pessac, southwestern France.

The riot police were withdrawn from the mint on Wednesday, plant officials said.