Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Re: Ongoing Protests and Strikes in France

Dear NASA Member,

The French Government is attempting to pass a new law effecting retirement. This law would change the number of years a person has to work before they are eligible for a full pension, while at the same time restructuring the way the pensions are funded.

For the last two months we have been experiencing so called one day strikes by customs, dock workers, and trainmen. Each of these one day strikes has effected us for more than the one day period due to the recovery of backlogs. Currently truckers are fully booked due to the inability to offload full containers or receive empty ones.

Next week another strike is expected to start on Monday June 2nd, which Union leaders have advised will last for a full week. It is expected that this strike will be followed by workers in the public sector.

As more details become available we will keep you well informed. If you require further information please do not hesitate to call us.

Best regards,
The North American Shippers Association

Gregory N. Taylor
Manager