French Strike Over Youth Jobs Law

Flights were canceled and commuter trains curtailed as workers across France walked off the job Tuesday in a nationwide strike against a new jobs law for younger workers. The action is seen as a major test for the country's outspoken prime minister.

Transport workers were the first to strike, followed by teachers, postal workers, and employees of state television and radio, reports CBS News correspondent Elaine Cobbe (audio).

Thousands of people were expected to take to the streets in about 200 protests throughout the country — or just stay home from work for the one-day strike. Police were stepping up surveillance of the nation's rail network to prevent violence that has marred previous demonstrations.

The new youth employment law would let companies dismiss workers under 26 without cause during their first two years on the job — a provision the government hopes will make employers more willing to hire younger workers and reduce sky-high youth unemployment in France.

Critics feel the law will eat into job protections and leave younger workers even more vulnerable.

Labor and student groups vowed further strikes and protests unless the government cancels the new labor law, which has shut down many universities in recent weeks. The dispute could weigh on presidential elections next year.

The unions rejected the prime minister's invitation to talks on Tuesday, saying they first want a commitment he will withdraw the law as it stands.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, thought to be President Jacques Chirac's choice as his successor, has refused to withdraw the law.

An array of public service workers, including bus and subway drivers, air traffic controllers, utility workers and unemployment office staffers, joined Tuesday's strike. Public transportation was disrupted in 76 cities and towns, LCI television reported.

About seven in 10 subway trains were running in Paris, but commuter trains were as few as one in two. One flight in three was canceled at airports nationwide, according to the national civil aviation authority.

"It's really annoying," said secretary Monique Paquet, as a crammed bus arrived at a bus stop where she was waiting near the Opera. "I have a two-hour commute between buses and trains, and these strikes really slow me down."

Many French people, accustomed to sporadic strikes, have learned how to prepare — by either taking vacation or comp days, using cars to get to work or staggering their hours around peak times. With all the extra car usage, traffic congestion on highways outside Paris was about twice the normal level Tuesday, the national highway information center said.

Newsstands were also empty of national dailies because of the strike. State-run radio France-Info, a top source of daily news for the French, aired only music. France-2 television broadcast its morning show in a smaller-than-usual studio, with some technicians on strike.

While it didn't exactly cripple public transportation, the strike succeeded in getting people talking. Arguments and discussions over the contract and the walkout were common at bakeries, cafes or open-air markets across the country.