France - Refinery Blockages/Strikes

Also, on the subject of whether or not we should be handing so much of our infrastructure over to France (we shouldn't), we're conversely also one of the biggest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in France, so I guess its somewhat tit for tat.

However it does need to be said that whislt the UK makes up almost 10% of French FDI, most of it goes into R&D not infrastructure, which the French are of course very protective of.
 
Im living in Toulosue and there have been a few walks and somepetrol stations are dry, but speaking to wrokmates most people are more angry in how the reforms were passed. correct me if im wrong but the law was brought in without a vote taking place which is what annoys people more than the actual reforms.
 
JayRuss said:
Im living in Toulosue and there have been a few walks and somepetrol stations are dry, but speaking to wrokmates most people are more angry in how the reforms were passed. correct me if im wrong but the law was brought in without a vote taking place which is what annoys people more than the actual reforms.
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Yeah I heard that too from my Dad who is in France atm. AIUI basically 'Ollande used his executive powers as President to get the laws implemented, rather than let their parliament debate and vote on it.
 
JayRuss said:
. correct me if im wrong but the law was brought in without a vote taking place which is what annoys people more than the actual reforms.
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Absolutely correct. There are two reasons for the strikes. Firstly, of course, the unions are unhappy with changes to their working conditions which none of their members agreed too. This is merely a union doing their job. And is pretty reasonable if you ask me.

Secondly though, and perhaps more importantly, Hollande instructed Valls to implement the reforms without a parliamentary vote, using his décret (decree). This sets a pretty dangerous precedent as its the first time its been used to reform labour laws, which as I'm sure we all know are almost sacred in France.
 
platypus said:
Le Pen? Hah. Do you actually know the details of any of her policies?

Well, the French economy is actually growing, but it is in poor shape certainly.
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Yes, of course, a brief Google search will show you her current thinking, for example:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/21c43558-c32e-11e4-ac3d-00144feab7de.html#axzz49qwi1XbF

There's load more, she probably has a Facebook page or whatever if you are more into social media.


Sorry, the first link is a pay per view, here's another:

http://www.france24.com/en/20140528-france-national-front-policy-eu
 
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Yes I'm aware of how easy it is to do an internet search. I'm asking if you know the details of any of her policies. Have you read any of her pieces in Le Monde, for example?

And fyi, Marine Le Pen is not popular in France. The Front Nationale is doing well at present, there is a difference.
 
scorza said:
My main concern here is that Britain's energy security seems to be dependent on foriegn entities who may not have Britain's best interests at heart - this would include French Unions and the Chinese. Believe me, the rest of the world is laughing at us for the deal we made with the Chinese on this :(
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And the blame for that lies with us, not a French trade union.
 
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platypus said:
Yes I'm aware of how easy it is to do an internet search. I'm asking if you know the details of any of her policies. Have you read any of her pieces in Le Monde, for example?

And fyi, Marine Le Pen is not popular in France. The Front Nationale is doing well at present, there is a difference.
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I have read a little about her and her policies, nothing in great depth as she's unlikely to have great impetus on my life. I think she could be good for France though, and show other politicians how great the groundswell of dissension with immigration is generally in many EU countries. It is a peripheral interest though. If she wins the general election, then I will doubtlessly be subject to media indoctrination on how the end of the world is about to occur due to the mad woman the other side of the Channel. I suspect she have a good chance of winning, as do other more right wing politicians in Europe. Times they are `a' changin', look how Trump has so far confounded his critics. Many may not like the man, but they love his policies, such as they are at the moment! You say it's the same in France for Marine Le Pen?
 
Just watched the lunch time news TV advice given to UK motorists heading across to France this weekend and it's bizarre. The smart young RAC man is saying try and drive in a very economical manner, with a detailed analysis of how this should be done... No roof racks, below 60 MPH, correct tyre pressures, no aggressive acceleration, blah blah. But DO NOT take a Jerry can. Oh go on, then just ONE and make it a proper regulation type... Sounds very wing and a prayer, I wonder if he is on commission for a host of breakdowns and recoveries due to lack of fuel?

To me it looks like the media are playing down what looks to be an escalating situation of unrest. It's the pub and mowing the lawn for me, couldn't do with the hassle of a holiday with all that potential mither on the horizon :)
 
Looking at France today is like looking at a reflection of Britain in the late 70's. If you allow anyone political body to become to powerful they end blinded to reality and desperate to hang on topower and that goes for Trade unions as well as government institutions.
 
sanaxe1 said:
Frances economy is growing.....
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Sure as hell isn't this week.
As for EDF and all that jazz, are there absolutely no British companies capable of building and providing a reactor in this day and age? Have they all faded into oblivion?

What nations have companies which build nuclear reactors now?
 
The last Nuclear power station built in UK was Sizewell B, I think this came online in 1995, I think it has a US designed reactor. I think GEC were involved in the build, as my Dad used to work for them.
 
just drove across france last couple of days and now just above spain. Went on any toll roads I needed to but also off at points and have not found any issues with fuel, I have not seen one shut. The only time I saw a fuel shortage was at the services before I left the uk
 
Whilst I'm in favour of the new proposals and against the strikes, I will point out that these were pushed through the French parliament without a chance for their MPs to vote on it.

So whilst I think they're wrong, I am in favour of democracy and dislike presidents trying to skirt around it. Ditto for Obama trying to use an executive order to prevent deportation of illegal immigrants and similar cases. We're not just seeing disengagement from democracy by swathes of the public. Heads of State (and Cameron) seem to be disengaging from it as well.

TL;DR: I think labour reform is likely good but you can't impose it by skipping democratic process. And we're seeing the result of that.
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
Sure as hell isn't this week.
As for EDF and all that jazz, are there absolutely no British companies capable of building and providing a reactor in this day and age? Have they all faded into oblivion?

What nations have companies which build nuclear reactors now?
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Actually Sheffield Forgemasters could have, but the government didn't want to give them a loan to buy the necessary equipment. This was due to pressure on the gov by EDF who had a controlling stake in Areva, who manufacture reactors.
 
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