European truckers on strike because of high fuel prices
Blocked borders, fuel pumps running out of gasoline, supermarkets that don't get fresh produce supply ... these are just a few of the consequences of a strike by Spanish and French truckers against high diesel prices. The strike is taking place this week. Currently, diesel prices are around €1.30/liter in Spain and €1.45 in France (that translates to $7.71 U.S. and $8.62 a gallon, respectively. You can see energy prices for all EU country members here). Those prices might be high compared to other countries, but that's not all that's not all the drivers are mad about: diesel prices have jumped up 40 percent in less than a year.
Major cities in Spain such as Valencia, Madrid or Barcelona suffered traffic jams because of demonstrations where trucks were driven at low speeds, making getting around difficult for other vehicles (the picture above shows one of Barcelona's main entry, the C-58 highway). The two main borders between Spain and France, La Jonquera and Irun, were also blocked and demonstrators prevented any truck from crossing. In response, the Spanish government offered an agreement to the Freight Unions. It includes a flexible fare system where transport could reflect fuel prices directly, as well as other measures like subventions for early retirement.
Gallery: European Truckers Strike - June 2008
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[Source: El País]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Joseph 2:41AM (6/10/2008)
Aww... France, where the spirit of going in strike thrives.
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Miguel Henriques 9:14AM (6/10/2008)
Interesting times these we’re living. This morning there wasn’t any fish and vegetables in the market, pumps are drying.
Where did I put that Mad Max movie....
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Timmy 6:09AM (6/11/2008)
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Gloria 6:45AM (6/11/2008)
I am happy to see my brother truckers in Europe doing what we need to do here in the US. The price of fuel for everyone is ridiculous and if the truckers here in the US would stand together and park their trucks for a week, this would stop. The country doesnt realize how much they need the truckers.If we stop working, no one eats, gets gas, clothing, or anything else that is needed to survive. And can someone please explain to me why diesel is more expensive when it is what is left over after making all the other fuels?
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Gale 6:52AM (6/11/2008)
1. Aww... France, where the spirit of going in strike thrives.
Posted at 2:41AM on Jun 10th 2008 by Joseph
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Awwww.... shut the hell up! Unless you're in a family of truck drivers who have to bring your food clothing and EVERYTHING you touch to a local store paying nearly $5.00 a gallon for diesel on AMERICAN SOIL, then SHUT THE HELL UP!! My husband and a whole lot of other truckers get out there everyday and bust their asses for ingrates like you. They have to contend with sitting in traffic for hours burning up their liquid gold and only get around 5 miles per gallon. They deal with dumbass 4 wheelers cutting them off or not letting them pass so they can keep up their speed. It takes a truck under a full load quite a while to build back up its speed, which in turn burns more fuel. We are consumers too, so not only are we paying HIGHER fuel prices at the pump than gasoline, we also get the higher prices tacked on at the stores for EVERYTHING as well. So.... SHUT THE HELL UP about the French or anyone else going on strike about fuel prices until you LIVE it first hand! I wish american truck drivers could organize an EFFECTIVE strike, unfortunately because of anti trust laws they aren't permitted to. If ALL the truckers/trucking companies across the country shut down for even 3 days, you're stores would be running low on milk, bread etc. and most of your daily staples. Then what would you do? So next time you want to make a smartass comment about the French or any trucker striking because of fuel, remember this...
IF YOU GOT IT, A TRUCKER BROUGHT IT.... THANK A TRUCKER!!!!
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Boggie 6:55AM (6/11/2008)
Thank God for the truckers! What took them so long!
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PAUL CASEY 8:17AM (6/11/2008)
Well said Gale.... Truckers and the Airlines should get special dispensation, or this nation will shut down.
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Nina 7:21AM (6/11/2008)
Seeing something as meaningful and important as our Trucking industry suffer is horrible - I have nothing but sympathy for these truckers and their families - my question however is WHO is realy suffereing when they strike? When they drive so slow everyone has to crawl through traffic...?
Not the ones calling the shots on oil / gas prices.
It's their fellow Americans *who are just as fed up with high gas prices as they are.
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sleepyjns 7:27AM (6/11/2008)
GOOD FOR THEM. I WISH AMERICAN TRUCKERS AND AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD DO THE SAME, AND STOP SUPPORTING THESE MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES. LET THEM STUFF THEIR GAS.
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irene 7:23PM (6/11/2008)
Well fuel prices will go up further..."Why" BECAUSE THEY CAN...Have the truckers questioned the NAFTA SUPERHIGH that is coming thru Texas and gong all the way up to Canada. The drivers will be NON- Americans.....There goes ALL the Trucker JOBS here in this great USA.
Irene
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Jim 7:29AM (6/11/2008)
Well folks, the reason gas keeps going higher is because you idiots keep driving at break-neck speeds, and buying the gas. As for the truckers, strike, strike, strike if you want....some of you don't remember the Reagan days when the ATC guys walked out. Reagan brought in the military to control the airports. Today the same thing will happen to truckers, they will be out of a job, and your favorite president will install military drivers to do all the transporting. You can't win.
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Toni 7:37AM (6/11/2008)
I understand the plight of the trucker, we have one or two in our extended family and the gas prices affect them as well as the rest of us. I think it would be wise for the US as a nation to strike against the high gas prices. I wonder what the outcome would be if we all decided to stay home because we can't afford the high price of fuel any longer.
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Carolyn 7:41AM (6/11/2008)
Well, it's ABOUT time! And why don't we here in America take the same stand? It's amazing that we are so lethargic about what big oil companies and the like are doing to this world. I remember when I was a kid, the price of meet skyrocketed, what did we do, BOYCOTT! What happened? The prices went down. We have become a bunch of lazy, accepting morons who take whatever crap the government and big business hands us. Why are we not protesting the war like we did with Vietnam? This is not to disparage those soldiers over there giving their sweat and lives, but to the politicians and billionaires who gain from this mess. WAKE UP AMERICA!
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Don DeLong 7:41AM (6/11/2008)
The only thing the oil companies can't stand it someone dipping in their pockets. They do understand strikes. Cut down drastically on consumpation and watch how fast they cut the price of fuel. No, they will not raise the prices to compensate for their loss especialy if the reduction is drastic. In France, as opposed to the US, all industries support whoever is striking. The government in France understands the power of a strike. Good for the French Truckers......
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Emil 7:44AM (6/11/2008)
I understand some emotions expressed here, but it will be worthwile to know what the strikers suggest. What is their ( or at least their leaders ) plan to reduce expences on fuels? What should the govt. do ?
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bl1968 7:48AM (6/11/2008)
Jim, the true reason why oil prices are so high is because companies purchase oil as a commodity. Usage and supply is flat but because companies are using oil as an investment, the price is being driven higher. I agree however Jim, that we need to change our habits. The government obviously has no qualms paying an exhorbanant rate for fuel. Look at the parking lot in any governmental building in DC. SUV city.
The truckers have my full support. Without them, our economy would come to a standstill.
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justpicky 8:02AM (6/11/2008)
GALE ....you're right . EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN should boycott ALL gas stations in United States. If you don't then it's your own fault. ...June 19 - 22 , 2008 , ALL AMERICANS should NOT buy gasoline . You should tell your family , friends , neighbors , coworkers , etc , even strangers .
This should be told throughout the WORLD.
Take noticed do the right thing and BOYCOTT ON these days ....June 19 - 22 , 2008 ....
Actually monthly this should happen . Write to your senators , congressmen , etccc and complain .
It's only going to get worse IF NOTHING IS being done .
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Leo 9:30AM (6/11/2008)
Something has to give somewhere and this is the beginning of it. Our country would not exist without our trucking industry. The trickle down effect affects EVERYTHING
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justpicky 8:02AM (6/11/2008)
President Bush could of done something years ago , he's not worried , why , because he's into Oil , that's his bread and butter. He's invested in this years ago and each day , his bank acct grows .
He hasn't done anything since he's been in office . Overall he wasted 8 yrs of service .
He's "THE WORSE PRESIDENT IN HISTORY ".
MANY REPUBLICANS are tired of him . They're changing over to Independent or Democrat .
Bush should be a shamed of himself , he's not . He careless for you and your family as long as he has his way.
OPEC , Investors and many other ones are driving the cost of Oil up . If you were watching the Senators last week on news C-Span , you would of seen what was actually going on .
Mr Greenberg said it all . He knows the facts about Oil Companies , investors , etc.
There were a list of people on that panel including Mr Greenberg , and I feel he's the smartest fella on that panel . You can tell he was 100% honest when explaining . One smart fella.
BOYCOTT gas stations on June 19 - 22 , 2008 .
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george 8:14AM (6/11/2008)
Truckers should surrond the Capital and not let the congressmen and women out until they allow drilling for oil in Alaska and offshore. I got a save the polar bear solication in the mail the other day. What about saving the human race?
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