Air France reached agreement today with striking pilots
to end a walkout that "severely undermined preparations for
the World Cup," according to a report by the AP's Ian
Phillips in the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Air France said that
the pilots had agreed to "accept company shares in exchange
for salary cuts." The company called for an "immediate
return to work." On Tuesday, "only one in four Air France
planes was flying" (AP/ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/10).
BUT OTHER STRIKES ARE POSSIBLE: While Paris held its
"largest parade ever" on Tuesday in celebration of the
beginning of the World Cup, Anne Swardson of the WASHINGTON
POST reports that armored truck drivers in Paris "went on
strike, raising fears that bank branches would run out of
cash and close." Bus drivers in Bordeaux and train
conductors on the Paris-southern lines, where matches will
be held, "geared up for strikes later in the week."
Swardson also notes the large security presence guarding
against terrorism and hooligans (WASHINGTON POST, 6/10).
ARE THE FRENCH SITTING THIS ONE OUT? In Detroit,
Charlie Vincent calls France the "host who seems to have
thrown her doors open to a world of guests while refraining
from indulging herself" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/10).
STRIKE, WHAT STRIKE? LET'S PARTY: In Toronto, Stephen
Brunt reports on Tuesday's opening parade: "It has become a
cliche to suggest that North Americans are missing something
because they are, by and large, immune to the allure of
soccer. Still, it is undeniably true that they are missing
something by not really being part of this" (Toronto GLOBE &
MAIL, 6/10). USA TODAY's Jill Lieber examines the Cup in a
Sports section cover story, writing it "isn't just about
soccer. It's also about the meeting and melding of nations,
races, creeds, colors and genders. Without question, it's
also the world's largest cocktail party" (USA TODAY, 6/10).
