Anti-austerity protests hit France
Strikes over budget cuts have been gaining momentum in several European countries
Arcelor Mittal steel workers dressed in protective work suit demonstrate over pension reforms in Marseille October 16, 2010. A nationwide strike that could hit various industries is planned for Tuesday, a day before the Senate is due to vote on a bill to make people work longer for their pensions.JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER
Private and public sector workers attend a demonstration over pension reform in Toulouse October 16, 2010. A nationwide strike that could hit various industries is planned for Tuesday, a day before the Senate is due to vote on a bill to make people work longer for their pensions.JEAN-PHILIPPE ARLES
French high school students shout slogans as they demonstrate in Nice, southeastern France October 16, 2010 during a fifth day of a nationwide protest against pension reform.Eric Gaillard/Reuters
High school students attend a demonstration with shipbuilding workers, Airbus workers, SNCF railway workers, teachers at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique site in Saint Nazaire October 14, 2010 during a third day of a nationwide protest against pensions reform.STEPHANE MAHE/Reuters
Tankers are blocked by on strike workers at the entrance of Fos-sur-Mer's oil terminal, on October 14, 2010 in Fos-sur-Mer. The stoppage was launched on September 27 to protest plans to set up a subsidiary to manage the Fos-sur-Mer and Lavera terminals, part of a port reform scheme.GERARD JULIEN/AFP / Getty Images
French CGT labour union railway workers demonstrate in the railway station of Nice, southeastern France, October 14, 2010 during a third day of a nationwide protest against pensions reform.ERIC GAILLARD/Reuters
A French railway worker waits to cast his ballot before a vote about the SNCF railway strike in Nice, southeastern France October 14, 2010 during the third day of a nationwide protest against pensions reform. The slogan on the wall reads "We don't want to die at work".ERIC GAILLARD/Reuters
High school students attend a demonstration with shipbuilding worker, Airbus workers, SNCF railway workers, teachers at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique site in Saint Nazaire October 14, 2010.STEPHANE MAHE
A teacher with an armband which reads "Teacher on strike !"STEPHANE MAHE/Reuters
Striking shipbuilding workers attend a demonstration in France.STEPHANE MAHE/Reuters
Students shout slogans as they block the Marseilleveyre high school in Marseille October 14, 2010.JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/Reuters
Tankers are blocked by on strike workers at the entrance of Fos-sur-Mer's oil terminal, on October 14, 2010 in Fos-sur-Mer.GERARD JULIEN/AFP / Getty Images