Date: Friday, May 30, 2003
Re: Pending Strikes In France

Dear NASA Member,

In protest against the proposed new retirement laws, France will be hit by a variety of strikes next week. Those that concern JF Hillebrand France most and that have already been announced for June 3rd are:

      -Le Havre and Fos/Mer -stevedores and port authority workers
      -telephone and postal services
      -train drivers

These strikes should last just for the day however some Union leaders have stated that they will make them last all week. We will be unable to return containers to terminals on Tuesday and to take empty ones out. Loadings scheduled for Wednesday may need to be rescheduled. Train drivers strike will effect containers scheduled to move by rail. It will not be easy to transfer these to the road because truckers are already fully-booked for next week. Postal services will mean a delay in the return of documents, such as B/Ls.

As usual, we will advise you on a case by case basis of containers facing delays.

Best Regards,
The North American Shippers Association
Gregory N. Taylor
Manager