Massive General Strike Freezes France

France's largest general strike in three years hobbled transportation, school, hospital and mail services as unions demanded that President Nicolas Sarkozy better protects jobs and consumers during the global economic crisis.

More than 1 million protesters took part Thursday, with tens of thousands of youths, retirees and unemployed people marching across towns and cities, police said.

The powerful CGT - one of eight unions that called the one-day "black Thursday" strike - claimed that 2.5 million people took part.

Both estimates would make it the largest collective protest in France since 2006, when students angered by a jobs reform plan weakened a previous government.

Sarkozy, clearly considering the potential impact on his administration and reforms, announced plans to meet union bosses in February. The global crisis, his office said, has triggered "legitimate worries."

"This protest is for everyone. I have children, so this is for the future," said Pierrette Gueguen, 58, a car factory worker who lost her job last year.

"I hope this will be a starting point for change in 2009 and all the days, weeks and months to come," said Gueguen, one of tens of thousands people gathering at the Place de la Bastille at the start of the Paris march.

Economic growth in 2009 is expected to be close to zero in France, with unemployment - now at 7.7 percent - below the double-digit figures of 10 years ago but rising at the fastest rate in 15 years.

Consumer spending has plunged.

Sarkozy recently announced a 26 billion ($33 billion) stimulus plan, but the unions believe it is not enough.

The rival Socialist Party says twice that is needed.

The strikers were demanding better job security, higher salaries and purchasing power, and more say about Sarkozy's economic reforms.

Outside Paris, protests drew 34,000 in Bordeaux in the west, 24,000 in Marseille in the south, 26,000 in the northern city of Lille, and 20,000 in eastern Nancy.

The demonstrations hit public services, but failed to close them down, in part because of a 2007 law ensuring minimum service during strikes.

Just over 10 percent of flights at Charles de Gaulle airport were canceled, and a third at the smaller Orly airport. Many flights took off late.

The train authority said nearly 37 percent of workers joined the strike.

About 75 percent of buses and trains were running in Paris, but suburban trains linking the French capital were hit hard, with some lines running at a trickle.

Half of all primary school teachers stayed off the job, the Education Ministry said, and overall about 37 percent of teachers skipped class.

About 21 percent of public hospital workers went on strike, authorities said, and one-quarter of all postal workers stayed off the job.

Sarkozy, who once famously said that "no one notices" strikes - softened his usual stance.

On Thursday night, his office announced plans to meet next month with union leaders to discuss the program for reforms needed in 2009.

Still, despite the economic crisis and the general strike, Sarkozy - who was elected in May 2007 - appears to remain committed to the reforms, including thinning France's vast civil service and reforming schools and hospitals.

The protesters called his reforms too harsh during an economic crisis.

"It's not about restarting the economic machine on the same basis as before. ... The economy should be at the service of the social system," said CGT union leader Bernard Thibault.

He demanded improved purchasing power to pump up production.