French strike extended even as it sputters

Paris - France's transport strike eased but did not end Thursday, after President Nicolas Sarkozy accepted negotiations while refusing to budge on his campaign-trail promise that cushy retirement benefits must go. Frustrated commuters, many of whom had to walk, pedal or rollerblade to work, urged Sarkozy to hang tough, saying France needs economic reforms to thrive. Rail and transport workers' unions vowed to press the walkout into a fourth day Friday, as the government sought to trumpet figures showing that support was fading.
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