French commuters organised one-day national strike in France

Commuters and travelers in France faced unusually crowded highways, train stations and subway platforms on Tuesday as transportation workers led a nationwide one-day strike. The broad-based walkout, also by teachers, utility personnel and some private sector employees, aimed to express discontent with the center-right government's economic and labor policies. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin was facing his first major labor unrest since taking office four months ago. The strike came as parliamentary lawmakers were returning from a 2Ѕ month vacation. On average, about two-thirds of Paris buses and Metro trains were expected to run on what the daily Le Parisien predicted would be a "Black Tuesday." A large march was expected later in the day in the capital, one of dozens across the country. In southwestern Bordeaux, the regional transport operator said only one in four buses and three in four trams were operating in the morning rush hour. I.L.