Truckers’ Strike in France Triggers Gasoline Rationing

Cities and towns across France suffered crippling gasoline shortages Thursday, the 11th day of a truckers’ strike. The government spoke hopefully of compromise, but truckers said the conflict was not over.

The blockades that have paralyzed much of the country and wrought havoc elsewhere in Europe showed no sign of weakening. Gasoline rationing was in effect in at least half of France’s 90 counties, according to radio reports.

In the southern port of Marseilles, the nation’s third-largest city, it was virtually impossible to buy even a gallon of gas. What little was available went to medical workers, firefighters and police.

In Lyon in eastern France, the country’s second-largest city, drivers were limited to $30 worth of gas and $20 worth of diesel.

The truckers have been demanding higher wages, better hours and earlier retirement.

By Thursday, about 250 roadblocks were set up by truckers throughout the country, state radio said. An estimated 2,000 gas stations were either running out of gas or were already out.

But in a gesture to their foreign counterparts, the truckers agreed to lift their blockade at the entrance to the Calais ferry terminal, where boats leave for Britain.

About 300 truckers--from Britain, Spain, Portugal and Italy--had been stuck with their shipments rotting, and many lacked money and warm clothes.

On Wednesday, it appeared that the strike was near an end, when Transportation Minister Bernard Pons announced that marathon talks were “on the verge of succeeding.” Then the government’s mediator ended the talks and announced a partial accord to be signed today.

But the truckers said the issues of pay and work hours remained unresolved.