Strikes in France

Today France was slowed down by nationwide strikes. Most workers need to work for 40 years to get a full retirement. But certain jobs, such as the postal system, the SNCF (train system), EDF/GDF (national electric and gas company), and the RATP (Paris subway) only have to work 37 1/2 years. In the past, some of these jobs were extremely difficult physically. One used to have to shovel coal for trains. But today, everything is done by pushing buttons, so it's a lot easier. However, workers in these companies still want to only have to work 37 1/2 years.

One of the problems today is that there are more people going on retirement than there are working, so there isn't enough money going into the coffers. Just doing the math makes it obvious that the funds for paying retirees need to be found somewhere.

Anyway, our oldest 2 kids' school was closed today because their 2 teachers were on strike today. So we had them at home, which makes it harder for me to work (because of the noise), as well as harder on my wife, who has to try to occupy them with activities.

This morning she took them to visit Nathalie, who is recuperating from surgery. It was good that they could see her.

This afternoon my wife arranged with a classmate of David's to pick her up and play in a park. She was probably bored at home, so the afternoon outing was good for her, as well as for her family. It's good to be able to take advantage of strike days to get together with other kids at school. It will help our kids' French improve, as well as build our relationship with them and their families. Ooe of Dawn's classmate's mothers asked my wife if she could pick up her daughter after school next week and bring her home with us until the mother got home from work and could pick her up. This daughter was at Dawn's 4th birthday party last month. So it's another link into our neighborhood.

As much as programs can help, it often gets down to individual, face-to-face relationships. These often take time to begin and to deepen. And strikes and other crises sometimes open the doors to walking across the room to help others.