Guardian: France hit by general strike led by public sector workers

Some of the biggest demonstrations to hit France in recent years took to the streets Thursday as labor unions across the country, led by teachers and transit workers, dug in for the second day of mass strikes, the Guardian reports.

The nationwide strike is in response to the coming roll out of significant changes to the country's pension system put forward by President Emmanuel Macron. Many marchers are also pointing out that the proposed pension cuts are only the latest in the current governments attempts to roll back France's public services.

The strikes are seen by many, in conjunction with the anti-government yellow vest protests of earlier this year, as a sign that France is in the midst of a social crisis as many people are struggling to make ends meet while the centrist government led by Macron is looking to scale back the historically robust social safety net.

Strike in Montreal

Public libraries are among the many services closed today in Montreal as thousands of city workers engage in a one-day strike. The strike is in protest of Bill 3, proposed legislation that would change pension plans for Quebec's municipal workers. More information can be found at http://librenego.com/

Wethersfield (CT) Library workers get new contract

Library workers at the Wethersfield (Connecticut) Library have just had a new, three-year contract approved.  The contract removes the workers from the town's pension program and into a 401(k) substitute, which is a trend across the United States.