(The Associated Press distributed the following article on March 17.)
ROME — Train workers were set to walk off their jobs in Italy, Spain and France forseveral hours Tuesday to protest liberalization of the railway sector in theEuropean Union.
In Italy, the walkout was planned to start at 9 a.m. (0800gmt) for all personnel aboard the trains and in stations throughout across the country, officials with the ORSA union said.Workers at offices of the railway company were set to strike for the whole day.
The Italian railway company said it has canceled a few runs over the highly traveledRome-Milan route but pledged that most long-distance trains would run.
In Spain, train workers were to walk off their jobs from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 6 p.m. and 8p.m. (0500-0700gmt and 1700-1900gmt).
A similar strike was to be held in France, while planned actions in Britain were called off lastweek.