French Unions Call For New Protest Over Economy

Sarkozy has called for talks with the unions on Feb. 19 and moderate labour leaders have said further strikes and protests might be averted.

France's eight union federations have called for a new day of action on March 19 to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's handling of the slowing economy, a union source said on Monday.

Up to 2.5 million protesters took to the streets of France last month in a first day of strikes and rallies to denounce the economic crisis and the government's refusal to do more to help workers cope with the slowdown.

Sarkozy has called for talks with the unions on Feb. 19 and moderate labour leaders have said further strikes and protests might be averted if they get concessions.