2018-04-12

On the wrong track: strikes in France

① Emmanuel Macron faces a test of his reformist resolve as a three-month confrontation with transport unions begins today.

② Train drivers and other workers at SNCF, the national railway company, will carry out rolling strikes; employees in other industries will come out in sympathy.

③  Workers object to plans to end generous terms that guarantee annual pay rises, make dismissal difficult and promise early retirement.

④ The centrist Mr Macron must strike a delicate balance.

⑤ An avowed reformer, anxious not to be bullied by unions like his predecessors, he says loosening rigid labour markets will cut joblessness.

⑥ But he is also accused of being a president for the rich.

⑦ Paradoxically, the public appears both to support strikers (as it traditionally does) and to want the economy reformed.

⑧ SNCF is massively in debt, requiring billions in subsidies from the state.

⑨ It must eventually be made ready for competition.

⑩ Facing down the unions would be a first step.

▍生词好句

on the right/wrong track: 在正确/错误的轨道上

strike /strʌɪk/: n. 罢工 vt. 达成；给人留下印象

go on strike:（举行/参加）罢工

strike a balance/deal: 达成平衡/协议

resolve /rɪˈzɒlv/: n. 决心 v. 解决；下决心

strengthen/weaken/test one's resolve: 加强/弱化/考验某人的决心

resolve to do/that: 下决心要……

confrontation /ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃn/: n. 对抗；冲突

rolling /ˈrəʊlɪŋ/: adj. 持续的；逐步的

dismissal /dɪsˈmɪsl/: n. 开除；解雇

centrist /ˈsɛntrɪst/: adj./n. 中间派（的）

delicate /ˈdɛlɪkət/: adj. 巧妙的；精妙的

avowed /əˈvaʊd/: adj. 公开宣称的

bully /ˈbʊli/: vt. 欺压；霸凌

school bullying: 校园霸凌

predecessor /ˈpriːdɪsɛsə/: n. 前任

rigid /ˈrɪdʒɪd/: adj. 僵化的；死板的

cut joblessness: 减少失业

accuse /əˈkjuːz/: vt. 指控；指责

subsidy /ˈsʌbsɪdi/: n. 补贴

face down: 击垮；压倒

▍补充例句

1. strike

How does my proposal strike you?

He strikes me as an efficient person.

2. resolve

He resolved that he should speak to the president.