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January 2, 2020

French Rail Workers' Strike Now Longest Since 1968
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In France, union workers continue their strike to protest French
President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to raise the retirement age. It is
now France's longest rail workers' strike since 1968. During Macron's
New Year's Day address, he vowed to press ahead with his efforts to
overhaul the pension system. This is union representative Hani Labidi.

Hani Labidi: "Since the first day, December 5th, we have been calling
for this reform to be withdrawn completely, and today we're respecting
the same line. The statement that he, Macron, has now made doesn't
surprise us, because we weren't expecting anything from him. He's a
president who's full of himself, who doesn't listen to the people. You
have to bear in mind that Macron has to listen to the French people;
it's not the French people who have to listen to Macron."



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