French unions warn Sarkozy against forcing reforms

PARIS (Reuters) - Trade unions told France's next president, Nicolas Sarkozy, on Monday that any attempt to force economic and social reforms without consultation would backfire.

A day after Sarkozy won the presidential run-off by a convincing margin on proposals for deepreaching reforms, the Force Ouvriere union reiterated its reservations on several key measures proposed by Sarkozy during his election campaign.

These include requiring unions to provide minimum service during industrial action in public sector monopolies such as transport, cuts in public sector staffing, and a single contract to replace the array of different ones that currently exist.

"All attempt to pass things by force would backfire and weaken or compromise what is called social dialogue," Jean-Claude Mailly, the secretary general of the Force Ouvriere, said in a statement.

"Social expectations are very, very strong. The period will be a turning point. As we have always done, we will judge the public authorities on their actions."

The CFDT union, which has taken a more moderate line than some of the other unions, agreed consultation and consensus building would be vital.

"Listening, respect for the social partners, the quality of the dialogue, negotiation are essential elements of this," it said in a statement. "The method which the president will choose to drive his reforms will be critical."

The head of the CFDT, Francois Chereque, said on French radio his union would be vigilant in pushing for consultation rather than force.

"Very rapidly, and before a parliamentary majority is formed, we need to define with the new government a way of working, of functioning," he said.

This would involve defining which areas would be the preserve of direct negotiations between unions and employers and which areas would involve the government, Chereque added.

Analysts say a litmus test of Sarkozy's reform credentials will be whether he can meet a pledge to introduce a bill within his first 100 days in office requiring minimum service in key sectors during industrial action.

Bernard Thibault, the head of the CGT, the largest union, urged Sarkozy to provide details of how he planned to proceed.

He warned Sarkozy not to "repeat the example of the CPE", a youth job contract that the current Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin forced through provoking widespread protests in 2006.

Sarkozy is not expected to force legislation as Villepin did, an approach that ended with him being obliged eventually to withdraw the contract.

(Additional reporting by Anna Willard)