French fishermen suspend strike

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

LES SABLES D'OLONNE, France (AFP) — Fishermen in this French Atlantic port voted Saturday to suspend a strike after the government in Paris agreed to compensate loss of income due to fuel price rises.

The vote indicated an easing of tensions after angry fishermen took action this month, blocking ports including a major refinery operated by the French oil company Total in the Channel port of Dunkirk.

The vote was the first true sign of detente in the dispute. This town was where the industrial action started on May 10, spreading quickly to northern France and the Mediterranean.

Fishermen here called off their blockade of the commercial, fishing and yachting harbours.

But a fisheries spokesman warned: "We're not ending the strike, we're only suspending...