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Friday, 16 November 2007, 12:51 GMT

In pictures: French strike

Rail workers protest at Lille-Flandres train station, in Lille, northern France, 16 November

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Thousands of public transport and utility workers have gone on strike across France, including here in Lille, throwing the transport system into chaos.

A railway worker holding a child casts a ballot during voting to decide on continuing to strike, at Hendaye railway station, south-west France, 15 November

A railway worker holding a child casts a ballot during voting to decide on continuing to strike, at Hendaye railway station, south-west France, 15 November

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Rail unions have rejected a government offer for fresh talks despite moves from within their own leadership towards renewed negotiations.

A man hitch-hikes on the Champs Elysees in Paris, 16 November

A man hitch-hikes on the Champs Elysees in Paris, 16 November

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A third strike day saw many people resorting to walking, cycling, roller-blading or even hitch-hiking along traffic-choked roads.

Commuters at Gare du Nord metro station, 16 November

Commuters at Gare du Nord metro station, 16 November

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Friday saw a slight increase in the number of trains operating but two metro lines in Paris were closed completely, and only one in three buses was running.

A woman runs on the tracks, as passengers walk on a crowded platform at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, Thursday 15 November

A woman runs on the tracks, as passengers walk on a crowded platform at the Saint Lazare station in Paris, Thursday 15 November

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Commuters faced long delays to board the crowded trains or buses in operation.

Rail workers and employees of the French state-owned company EDF bury a fake coffin representing the government's pension reforms, 15 November

Rail workers and employees of the French state-owned company EDF bury a fake coffin representing the government's pension reforms, 15 November

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Unions are waiting for an agreement on the conditions under which talks between government, unions and employers can take place on reforms to the public sector pensions.

A demonstration in Nice, southern France, 14 November

A demonstration in Nice, southern France, 14 November

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Students, teachers, civil servants and even magistrates may launch their own strike action, threatening to create a general wave of protest against economic hardship.

Traffic jam in Paris, 14 November 2007

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Tempers frayed on the gridlocked roads as commuters battled any way they could to get to and from work.

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Related to this story:
French strike brings travel chaos (14 Nov 07 | Europe )