World | France French Go on Strike for a Day Work action halts transport, mail, radio; Sarkozy stands firm By Jason Farago Posted May 22, 2008 9:01 AM CDT Copied Thousands of civil servants demonstrate during a one-day strike, in Marseille, southern France, Thursday, May 22, 2008. Civil servants are on strike against government plans to extend retirement contributions to 41 years. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) France's five largest unions have launched a coordinated strike that has crippled bus, train, and airport links across the country. The BBC reports that postal services have been reduced and public radio stations are playing music instead of regular programming. The unions are protesting an effort by Nicolas Sarkozy's administration to make them work one extra year—41 instead of 40—before receiving a full pension. Read These Next Taylor and Travis are getting married. One area where Bernie Sanders and President Trump are in sync. Michael Jackson's son reveals his 'next chapter.' An 11-year-old girl gave birth at home. The story gets worse. Report an error