I'm sorry Bradders but I believe that all workers should have the right to withhold their labour. Strikes are not an ideal solution and should only be used as a last resort when negotiation fails. There are too many big corporations and governments imposing their own ideals on the population. And it's no good to say move jobs, some people don't have an option. The problem is it often strikes get overblown over stupid issues (tube drivers). That said the French do seem to take things to a totally new level (such as setting fire to things, which isn't acceptable). We were caught up with the Ferry operators strike last year, total chaos. Nobody's lives were threatened during the junior doctors strike, inconvenienced possibly...
Sorry, but why even go to France for a bike trip unless it's to visit someone that lives there? I've been riding on the continent for over 20 years and in that time with numerous negative experiences of France (none of my own making) I've just come to the conclusion that as a tourist and with a choice to stop and patronise ANY country in Europe that I can avoid putting one penny of my income into a French retailers cash register - which isn't difficult since everywhere is shut most of the time anyway. I fill up in Dover, go on Eurotunnel (avoid the ferry like the plague), ride out the other side and my first stop for fuel and a pee will be in Belgium. Same in reverse coming back. I've just come back from Germany and the fuel strikes had absolutely no impact on me or my fellow traveller at all. I agree with workers rights in principle, but there are plenty of examples where union influence is used disproportionately, and it tends to happen in France more often than not, so why subject yourself to it? Unless you're visiting a person in that country you're not missing out on anything. Personally I've had overwhelmingly better experiences in almost any other country in Europe and the geography allows you to avoid coming into direct contact with the French economy. The issues on Eurotunnel have paled into insignificance compared to the ferry and I'll never take the ferry again.
This isn't the day of the work house. We have thousands of laws protecting workers rights, equality of pay and conditions, H&S legislation with ultimate sanctions being head of business risk of imprisonment, a shorter working week than ever. At a time when people live longer and more and more contribute less. Work to rule, yep go for it. Wholesale withdrawal of labour? Not acceptable. Setting fire to police cars, tyre walls across the road to Calais, blockading ports? Well that talks for itself.
How very sad for you. There are thousands of bikers and non bikers who have a great experience visiting France, many of them are on this forum. You remind me of the old gent who will have nothing to do with any other country because of the war. If you have had bad experiences it will probably be a reaction to your attitude rather than anything else. I'll bet that if you were visiting with a diesel car then you would fill it up on this side of the channel to save yourself some money. I have spent all of my 57 years living in various countries around Europe and am open minded enough to take every country as I find it, they are all different, and I respect that difference. I have had German friends visit the UK and will not go back because of the way they were treated. After next month you might be in a situation where life becomes a bit more difficult for those UK residents who wish to visit the rest of Europe.
Yes, we have indeed. Our forebears struggled and sacrificed so that we can enjoy those rights and protections today. But all of those laws are capable of being repealed, amended, or rendered unenforceable and there are plenty of employers keen to have that done. Some of them are willing to pay vast amounts of money to political parties who undertake to legislate in this way. Eternal vigilance! Take nothing for granted!
I'm with Bradders on this one, Port workers, air traffic control and refinery workers all out on strike, holding the population to ransome because their socialist government has just smelt the coffee and realised things need to change. Shame the fuckers couldn't have been as good building barriers in 1939.
Everyone has the right to withdraw their labour unless they are in effect slaves. But for each day, each hour you withdraw your labour you lose pay. And if you withdraw your labour long term, that means you have lost your job. It is in the nature of strikes that the strikers harm themselves financially as well as applying pressure to their employers. Everyone knows this, so going on strike is never an attractive option for anybody. As you rightly say, it is not an ideal solution and is only used as a last resort. For one person to strike alone, or in a small group, is totally ineffective; the whole concept has force only if a large number of people agree to strike together and keep faith with one other. Agreement, solidarity, and acting together are characteristics of strikes, and many people find these features rather admirable.
Erm, no. I'm been all over France from top to bottom and east to west, going back 30 years. I've worked there, had holidays, it's a beautiful country, no doubt about it. Don't feel sorry for me, my experience of France is a lot more complete than most. I'm not referring to one-to-one inter-personal experiences and I didn't once mention anything that even hinted at that, and would therefore appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth or take what I have written out of context. I was referring to issues with infrastructure and public services which can either be nationally run or in private hands - it seems to make no difference. The French people by and large are no different to any other nation and are for the most part very accommodating. Bet all you like. You don't know me and are not in a position to make any such judgement and I'd ask you refrain from making accusations on a personal level. If you don't like my opinion then I can't help that. I was merely suggesting that unless someone has a personal reason to travel to France then why line yourself up for pain via what are notoriously overzealous French unions - and that's not just my opinion on French unions, it is one shared by many. Well I'm 10 years younger but have had the privilege of living and working not just in Europe. My work has taken me all over the globe and I say 'Vive la difference'. I don't know why you are making me out to be a bigot.
100% agree with you We are off to Southern Brittany / Loire Atlantique in September and love it so much we want to retire there when we are old enough. We take our 3 dogs each time and stay in a hamlet away from the hustle and bustle of normal life which whilst possible in the UK just isn't possible on the same scale as in France as you always have someone looking over your shoulder here. French have always been great with us even though our GCSE French is limited. Would love to take the Monster but put up with the Accord purely for logistics
I visited Lille 2 years ago with a group of 60 scooters. We make a trip to either Holland, Belgium, Germany or France every year. A few lads dropped out of the trip beforehand because of the reputation of the French Police. The reality was very different and the Police were no problem at all, even taking selfies with some of the classic scoots.
The worst reaction to bikers anywhere in Europe is the UK, from my experience. We are treated like shite by many here.
The news is currently bad and getting worse. French ports, airports and trains are affected and it is currently estimated that 49% of petrol stations have run out or have very little petrol. If you are planning to travel to or through France for at least the coming week you need to check the various travel web sites as well the French website that has the up to date details of where petrol is not available. Andy
Eurotunnel to Calais on Saturday, Dijon for a night then onto Mt Ventoux for 4 days on my push bike. Going in my T5 which has an 80 ltr tank giving me about 400-425 mile, so about 200 short of getting to my final destination. 5 jerry cans in the van hidden under the back seats and under kit bags. I'm getting seriously pissed off with moaning fucking unions.
Am in France. It's alright. Filled up the T5 with diesel and have 3/4 tank left. Some petrol had run out but diesel was available, it'll be reet.
