Sarkozy stands firm amid rail strikes

PARIS, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy said pension reforms are to proceed despite massive rail strikes by angry transportation workers.

"I am committed to this reform. It will happen," Sarkozy said Friday.

The strikes continued for a third day Saturday as an estimated 75 percent of rail workers protested Sarkozy's plan to end retirement benefits which let some workers retire at 50 with full pensions, the BBC reported.

On Friday, two of Paris' main train lines were severely disrupted while Eurostar's connections with London were operating as usual, the BBC said. Only one Parisian Metro train in 10 was running on most lines.

Union leaders are to meet Monday to decide on more large-scale strikes. Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac tried to abolish the special pension benefits in 1995, but backed down after three weeks of strikes.