French truckers tied up commerce, choked the country's fuel supply, blocked freight traffic through the Channel Tunnel and forced the cancellation of rock concerts Tuesday, Day 2 of their nationwide strike.
The largest truck company owners' association said it would not join negotiations with trucking unions until Wednesday, rendering useless talks Tuesday that included only a small number of owners.Prime Minister Lionel Jospin told Parliament he would introduce a new transport law to strengthen truckers' rights and accused owners of not respecting an agreement that ended a similar walkout last year.
At least 141 blockades clogged traffic around France and continued to cut off gasoline stations, fuel depots and oil refineries.