Unions at Odds Over Fuel-Price Protest in France
A truckers union called on its members Friday to lift blockades that have strangled the flow of gasoline in France, causing havoc for motorists.
However, another union protesting soaring fuel prices continued to hold out for the demand that the government lower the gasoline tax--currently the second highest in the 15-nation European Union.
The National Federation of Road Transport called for barricades put in place around fuel depots and refineries to be removed. The move came after a meeting with Transportation Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot that lasted until 3 a.m.
But Daniel Chevallier, head of the UNOSTRA union, said that “right now it isn’t possible to call for blockades to be lifted.”
Meanwhile, taxi drivers--who joined the protest along with farmers and ambulance drivers--were given the go-ahead to raise their fares by 4.5% to cover the rising cost of fuel, France Info radio reported Friday.
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