Shock to the system

摘要

The new year could get off to a cold and dark start in France. The Communist-backed cgt union is threatening to strike at the end of January in protest at reforms planned by Electricite de France (edf), Europe's largest electricity company, edf, which was recently partially privatised with a sale of 15% of the company, plans to cut 6,000 jobs in France. The unions are furious at what they regard as a clumsy attempt to please the financial markets.