French vent anger over decision to scrap holiday

PARIS - Strikes disrupted public transport and emptied classrooms across France yesterday as workers defied a Government decision to scrap a public holiday to generate funds for healthcare for the elderly.

Members of the Government brushed off the protests over what unions called "a day of free work", but the action dealt a blow to President Jacques Chirac and his Government two weeks before a vote on the European Union constitution.

Two opinion polls showed 51 per cent of voters who have decided how to vote on May 29 will reject the constitution. Pollsters say the holiday row has helped boost the "No" camp.

The cash-strapped Government hopes taxes on Monday's production will generate an extra 2 billion ($3.69 billion) to be spent on healthcare for the aged.

The Education Ministry said one in five teachers was on strike and the teachers' union said only 10 to 15 per cent of pupils aged from 11 to 18 were at school. French unions said 27 regional transport networks had no service and services were disrupted in more than 70 others.

The holiday was for the Christian Pentecost, or Whitsun, which fell on Sunday.

Air traffic returned to normal in the afternoon. Thousands marched through Bordeaux, Colmar and in southern Marseille.

About a third of postal workers were on strike and many shops remained closed.

- REUTERS