05.07.2012 0

France: Newsstands are empty as the CGT calls for a nationwide publication and distribution strike

No newspaper today

Are you missing your morning read today? Many newsstands are empty this Thursday after the CGT union called for a national strike on the printing and delivery of all paid-for newspapers amid concerns that around 2,000 jobs could be cut in the industry over the next few months.

No daily newpapers have made it into the hands of their readers today as they go unpublished and undelivered

The financial difficulties that dog the newspaper industry have come to a head, according to the CGT, and they are making a stand. Blaming decreasing sales, growing debts and "a government unwilling to use public money to stop the crisis", the union claims that the companies behind the dailies are slashing jobs in the distribution section, adding more stress and pressure to the remaining workforce.

"This is hostage taking of the daily press," said the Syndicat de la Presse Quotidienne (Union of Daily Press), in response to the CGT's sudden actions, adding, "By blocking the release of daily newspapers, they are hindering our chances of recovery and success."

Regional newspapers have been hit the hardest but some have made it through. None of the Nice Matin group - Nice Matin, Var Matin, Corse Matin, Monaco Matin - have made it out but La Provence has been printed and delivered as normal.

The current strike is planned to run for 24 hours and those desperate to get their daily updates need only look online for news titbits.

Elsa Carpenter

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