1.
GV SIGN "METROPOLITAN"
0.03

2.
GV PAN DOWN FROM SIGN TO CLOSED ENTRANCE TO TRAINS
0.07

3.
SV & GV RUSH HOUR CROWDS WALKING TO WORK (2 SHOTS)
0.15

4.
SV MAN WAITING AT BUS STOP
0.18

5.
LV EMERGENCY TRUCKS
0.21

6.
GV & SV PEOPLE CLIMBING INTO TRUCK (2 SHOTS)
0.26

7.
SV BACK BOARD OF TRUCK PULLED UP
0.30

8.
GV'S TRUCKS DRIVE OFF (2 SHOTS)
0.40

9.
GV'S SV HEAVY PRIVATE MOTOR TRAFFIC (3 SHOTS)
0.51



Initials AK/V/MGT/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FRANCE WAS FEELING THE EFFECTS TODAY OF THE 24-HOUR STRIKE BY PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS WHICH BEGAN ON THURSDAY NIGHT. THEY WERE PROTESTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S WAGE RESTRAINT POLICY.

IN PARIS, ON THIS "BLACK FRIDAY" THERE WAS LITTLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT - ONLY A FEW METRO TRAINS BEFORE POWER CUTS STOPPED THEM RUNNING. TAXIS AND BUSES WERE OFF THE STREET: IN THEIR PLACE RAN FLEETS OF ARMY LORRIES FERRYING OFFICE WORKERS TO THEIR JOBS.

THE LACK OF HEAT, LIGHT AND MAIL DELIVERIES CLOSED MANY BUSINESSES FOR THE DAY WHILE TEN MILLION SCHOOLCHILDREN REMAINED AT HOME.

TWELVE THOUSAND POLICEMEN WERE NEEDED IN PARIS TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC, SWOLLEN TO VAST NUMBERS BY ARMY LORRIES AND CARS BELONGING TO WORKERS WHO NORMALLY TRAVEL BY METRO. BY THE TIME DUSK FELL, HOPELESS TRAFFIC JAMS FILLED THE CITY.