France: Strike paralyzes public transportation

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

A strike has paralyzed public transportation in France.

 

In the 1° 24' Cancer rising chart cast for the fifth Republic of France, this event is clearly seen. This chart has been studied on SAMVA for many years.

 

Sa/Ra period is running.

 

Transit L3 Mercury at 11° Libra H4 is conjunct natal L6 Jupiter at 12° Libra H4 under aspect from transit L8 Saturn at 13° Leo H2 and transit Rahu at 9° Aquarius H8.

 

Transit L6 Jupiter is also conjunct natal L8 Saturn at 27° Scorpio

 

The strike should end as transit Mercury moves out of the aspects and Jupiter moves further away from Saturn next week.

 

Best wishes,

 

Thor

 

PS It is interesting that France and USA share a rising sign, Cancer, and both have Saturn as L8 at 27° Scorpio. The salient difference is that Saturn in the chart for France does not afflict L2 Sun as in the SAMVA USA chart. Hence, assassination attempts of the French leaders are not a regular event in French national life as they are in US life. However, as natal Ketu at 29° Pisces afflicts natal Saturn in the chart for France, it has had its share of bombings and other violent acts. Moreover, as Rahu is conjunct H4 MEP and aspects H8, H10 and H12, there is significant manipulation involved in its national life. French politics is known for its diplomacy around the world and where a pragmatic approach typically prevails.

 

 

Talks offer over French strikes

 

 

Story Highlights Traffic jams ease as French government offers talks with striking unionns

Some long distance trains operating

Workers are striking over Sarkozy's plan to reform pensions

Next Article in World »

 

 

 

 

 

Read

VIDEO

PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARIS, France (CNN) -- More trains were running and there were fewer traffic jams Thursday after the French government proposed negotiating with transport unions striking over pension reforms.

 

 

 

Passengers walk on a crowded platform at the Gare du Nord station in Paris.

 

more photos »

 

French media reported traffic was backed up 300 km (186 miles) on the roads into Paris on Thursday; that was 60 km (37 miles) shorter than the day before, though still double what it would be during a normal commute.

Of the long-distance trains, operator TGV reported that 150 out of 700 were running Thursday, compared to 90 the day before. The Paris Metro subway system appeared to slowly be coming back online.

Seven labor unions went on strike late Tuesday, angry over plans by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to reform pensions. The reforms focus on special pension plans that allow some workers -- mostly train drivers -- to retire as early as 50.

The government vowed to stand firm in the face of the strikes and has refused to negotiate on the central issue of how long employees must work before they can retire and receive their pensions. See images of the strike »

But Wednesday night, the government sent a letter to union heads saying it would be willing to discuss all other issues and negotiate sector by sector to arrange a return to work. Among the possible proposals is reforming the way pensions are calculated, to give workers more pension money upon retirement.

While there has been no official union response, at least two of the larger unions have said the government proposal has elements they could negotiate on.

Apparent moves toward compromise may have encouraged more union members to go back to their jobs Thursday, but several other factors were also at play.

 

Don't Miss

 

Strikes paralyze Paris transport

Public support for the striking workers was low, with recent polls suggesting a majority of French backed the government's firm stance in the face of the unions. One reason is that the striking train drivers enjoy benefits that the majority of French workers do not -- including early retirement.

Workers also may not have wanted to be out of work for much longer in the weeks before the Christmas holidays.

 

 

 

 

The strikes also weren't well-supported to begin with. Just 60 percent of railroad workers and 42 percent of transit workers walked off the job. CNN's Robin Oakley explains the problems facing Sarkozy »

One remaining complication were pockets of determined rank-and-file union members around the country who vowed to continue the strike until the government meets their demands. The defiance could create a split between union leaders and members. E-mail to a friend

All About Nicolas Sarkozy • France

Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Mail. See how.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

The prediction that the strikes would end this week appears correct.

It gives additional confidence in the French chart we are working

with.

 

Best wishes,

 

Thor

 

November 22, 2007 -- Updated 1342 GMT (2142 HKT)

French strike vote may end action

 

Story Highlights

- Rail workers appeared to be ceding in the standoff with President

Sarkozy

- Strike, now in its ninth day, called over plans to reform pensions

system

- Sarkozy has said he will stand firm; Polls indicate public

disapproval of strikes

- About 540 of 700 high-speed TGV trains running nationwide, few

trains in Paris

 

PARIS, France (AP) -- Striking French rail workers overwhelmingly

were voting Thursday to return to work after a transport-crippling,

nine-day walkout to protest President Nicolas Sarkozy's retirement

reforms, initial figures indicated.

 

Rail workers appeared to be ceding in the standoff between Sarkozy

and the unions -- a symbolic first battle and a crucial test in the

president's broad campaign of economic and social change for changing

France.

 

Returns so far show wide support for bringing an end to the strike a

day after the start of negotiations with the government, France's

SNCF rail authority said. " We think a dynamic of return to work has

begun, " SNCF spokeswoman Julie Vion said.

 

On Thursday, the few trains running were still crammed with commuters

and getting around Paris remained a challenge, with at least one

commuter train line shut entirely and traffic at a near standstill on

other subway routes, officials said. About 60 percent of Paris buses

were running.

 

About 540 of the usual 700 high-speed TGV trains were running

nationwide, the SNCF said -- the best level of TGV service since the

strike began.

 

Amid widespread passenger discontent with the strikes, several groups

of workers from the SNCF and Paris' public transit authority, RATP,

voted Wednesday to return to work.

 

The transport strikes were triggered by Sarkozy's plan to reform

special retirement benefits for certain public sector workers. Under

the reform, all workers will have to work for 40 years to qualify for

full pensions, compared to 37.5 years now.

 

Don't Miss

Transport 'sabotage' hits France

Civil servants join French strike

French strike enters day 6

Sarkozy said Tuesday he would not back down on the reforms, and

opinion polls suggest most French disapprove of the walkouts.

 

Wednesday's talks produced no immediate solutions to the standoff.

But the mere fact that negotiations started was seen as a step

forward.

 

Representatives for rail unions and management agreed Wednesday on a

schedule for negotiations and a list of subjects to be covered in

future meetings. The next meeting was set for Monday. The government

has put a one-month deadline on the talks.

 

University students remained mobilized against Sarkozy's reforms and

planned protests at campuses nationwide, including a march starting

at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris. They are protesting a law

passed earlier this year allowing universities more freedom to

attract private funding and raise tuition. E-mail to a friend

 

-- In SAMVA , Cosmologer <cosmologer wrote:

>

> Dear friends,

>

> A strike has paralyzed public transportation in France.

>

> In the 1° 24' Cancer rising chart cast for the fifth Republic of

France, this event is clearly seen. This chart has been studied on

SAMVA for many years.

>

> Sa/Ra period is running.

>

> Transit L3 Mercury at 11° Libra H4 is conjunct natal L6 Jupiter at

12° Libra H4 under aspect from transit L8 Saturn at 13° Leo H2 and

transit Rahu at 9° Aquarius H8.

>

> Transit L6 Jupiter is also conjunct natal L8 Saturn at 27° Scorpio

>

> The strike should end as transit Mercury moves out of the aspects

and Jupiter moves further away from Saturn next week.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Thor

>

> PS It is interesting that France and USA share a rising sign,

Cancer, and both have Saturn as L8 at 27° Scorpio. The salient

difference is that Saturn in the chart for France does not afflict L2

Sun as in the SAMVA USA chart. Hence, assassination attempts of the

French leaders are not a regular event in French national life as

they are in US life. However, as natal Ketu at 29° Pisces afflicts

natal Saturn in the chart for France, it has had its share of

bombings and other violent acts. Moreover, as Rahu is conjunct H4 MEP

and aspects H8, H10 and H12, there is significant manipulation

involved in its national life. French politics is known for its

diplomacy around the world and where a pragmatic approach typically

prevails.

>

> Talks offer over French strikes

> Story Highlights

> Traffic jams ease as French government offers talks with striking

unionns

>

> Some long distance trains operating

>

> Workers are striking over Sarkozy's plan to reform pensions

>

> Next Article in World »

>

>

> Read VIDEO

> PHOTOS

>

>

>

>

> PARIS, France (CNN) -- More trains were running and there were

fewer traffic jams Thursday after the French government proposed

negotiating with transport unions striking over pension reforms.

>

> Passengers walk on a crowded platform at the Gare du Nord station

in Paris.

> more photos »

>

> French media reported traffic was backed up 300 km (186 miles) on

the roads into Paris on Thursday; that was 60 km (37 miles) shorter

than the day before, though still double what it would be during a

normal commute.

> Of the long-distance trains, operator TGV reported that 150 out of

700 were running Thursday, compared to 90 the day before. The Paris

Metro subway system appeared to slowly be coming back online.

> Seven labor unions went on strike late Tuesday, angry over plans by

French President Nicolas Sarkozy to reform pensions. The reforms

focus on special pension plans that allow some workers -- mostly

train drivers -- to retire as early as 50.

> The government vowed to stand firm in the face of the strikes and

has refused to negotiate on the central issue of how long employees

must work before they can retire and receive their pensions. See

images of the strike »

> But Wednesday night, the government sent a letter to union heads

saying it would be willing to discuss all other issues and negotiate

sector by sector to arrange a return to work. Among the possible

proposals is reforming the way pensions are calculated, to give

workers more pension money upon retirement.

> While there has been no official union response, at least two of

the larger unions have said the government proposal has elements they

could negotiate on.

> Apparent moves toward compromise may have encouraged more union

members to go back to their jobs Thursday, but several other factors

were also at play.

> Don't Miss

> Strikes paralyze Paris transport

> Public support for the striking workers was low, with recent polls

suggesting a majority of French backed the government's firm stance

in the face of the unions. One reason is that the striking train

drivers enjoy benefits that the majority of French workers do not --

including early retirement.

> Workers also may not have wanted to be out of work for much longer

in the weeks before the Christmas holidays.

>

> The strikes also weren't well-supported to begin with. Just 60

percent of railroad workers and 42 percent of transit workers walked

off the job. CNN's Robin Oakley explains the problems facing

Sarkozy »

> One remaining complication were pockets of determined rank-and-file

union members around the country who vowed to continue the strike

until the government meets their demands. The defiance could create a

split between union leaders and members. E-mail to a friend

> All About Nicolas Sarkozy • France

>

>

>

____________________

______________

> Be a better pen pal.

> Text or chat with friends inside Mail. See how.

http://overview.mail./

>

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

It is now offical:

French transport strike ends

Story Highlights

- Transport networks started returning to normal

- Unions threaten more strikes without agreement

- French government estimates strikes cost up to $513 million a day

 

PARIS, France (CNN) -- French rail and bus services were returning to

normal Friday as transport staff went back to work after a nine-day

walkout over pension reforms.

 

My message of 15 November:

> -- In SAMVA , Cosmologer <cosmologer@> wrote:

> >

> > Dear friends,

> >

> > A strike has paralyzed public transportation in France.

> >

> > In the 1° 24' Cancer rising chart cast for the fifth Republic of

> France, this event is clearly seen. This chart has been studied on

> SAMVA for many years.

> >

> > Sa/Ra period is running.

> >

> > Transit L3 Mercury at 11° Libra H4 is conjunct natal L6 Jupiter

at

> 12° Libra H4 under aspect from transit L8 Saturn at 13° Leo H2 and

> transit Rahu at 9° Aquarius H8.

> >

> > Transit L6 Jupiter is also conjunct natal L8 Saturn at 27° Scorpio

> >

> > The strike should end as transit Mercury moves out of the aspects

> and Jupiter moves further away from Saturn next week.

> >

> > Best wishes,

> >

> > Thor

 

Best wishes,

 

Thor

[Guest guest]

Congratulations dear Thor. Once again SA proves its predictive value given an accurate national chart.

Warm regards,Shayn

 

cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 12:47:42 PM Re: France: Strike paralyzes public transportation

 

Dear friends, It is now offical:French transport strike endsStory Highlights- Transport networks started returning to normal- Unions threaten more strikes without agreement- French government estimates strikes cost up to $513 million a dayPARIS, France (CNN) -- French rail and bus services were returning to normal Friday as transport staff went back to work after a nine-day walkout over pension reforms. My message of 15 November:> -- In SAMVA , Cosmologer <cosmologer@ > wrote:> >> > Dear friends,> > > > A strike has paralyzed public transportation in France. > > > > In the 1° 24' Cancer rising chart cast for the fifth Republic of > France, this event is clearly seen. This chart has been studied

on > SAMVA for many years.> > > > Sa/Ra period is running.> > > > Transit L3 Mercury at 11° Libra H4 is conjunct natal L6 Jupiter at > 12° Libra H4 under aspect from transit L8 Saturn at 13° Leo H2 and > transit Rahu at 9° Aquarius H8. > > > > Transit L6 Jupiter is also conjunct natal L8 Saturn at 27° Scorpio> > > > The strike should end as transit Mercury moves out of the aspects > and Jupiter moves further away from Saturn next week.> > > > Best wishes,> > > > Thor Best wishes,Thor

[Guest guest]

Dear Shayn,

 

Thanks for the kind words with regard to this prediction on the basis

of the chart for France (Fifth Republic, 00:00 hrs, 5 Oct. 1958,

Versailles, France, 2E15, 48N45, 1° 24' Cancer rising).

 

Best wishes,

 

Thor

 

 

SAMVA , Shayn Smith <mactunesmith wrote:

>

> Congratulations dear Thor. Once again SA proves its predictive

value given an accurate national chart.

>

> Warm regards,

> Shayn

>

>

>

>

> cosmologer <cosmologer

> SAMVA

> Friday, November 23, 2007 12:47:42 PM

> Re: France: Strike paralyzes public transportation

>

> Dear friends,

>

> It is now offical:

> French transport strike ends

> Story Highlights

> - Transport networks started returning to normal

> - Unions threaten more strikes without agreement

> - French government estimates strikes cost up to $513 million a day

>

> PARIS, France (CNN) -- French rail and bus services were returning

to

> normal Friday as transport staff went back to work after a nine-day

> walkout over pension reforms.

>

> My message of 15 November:

> > -- In SAMVA , Cosmologer <cosmologer@ > wrote:

> > >

> > > Dear friends,

> > >

> > > A strike has paralyzed public transportation in France.

> > >

> > > In the 1° 24' Cancer rising chart cast for the fifth Republic

of

> > France, this event is clearly seen. This chart has been studied

on

> > SAMVA for many years.

> > >

> > > Sa/Ra period is running.

> > >

> > > Transit L3 Mercury at 11° Libra H4 is conjunct natal L6 Jupiter

> at

> > 12° Libra H4 under aspect from transit L8 Saturn at 13° Leo H2

and

> > transit Rahu at 9° Aquarius H8.

> > >

> > > Transit L6 Jupiter is also conjunct natal L8 Saturn at 27°

Scorpio

> > >

> > > The strike should end as transit Mercury moves out of the

aspects

> > and Jupiter moves further away from Saturn next week.

> > >

> > > Best wishes,

> > >

> > > Thor

>

> Best wishes,

>

> Thor

>