Canal+ strike for second time ever

SECOND WALKOUT IN 30 YEARS HAS BEEN CALLED OVER JOB CUTS AND GROWING STRESS STAFF at French TV broadcaster Canal+ have announced plans for a one-day strike - only the second walkout in the

channel's 30-year history. All but one trade union representing workers is backing the industrial action for March 5, to protest about employee burn-out. They say working conditions are

deteriorating and staff numbers diminishing, which is putting extra pressure on those left. Unions say Canal+ is facing difficult economic times, with increased competition from the likes

of beIN Sports. A round of redundancies has recently been carried out. The strike will affect programmes on Canal+ as well as sister channels D8 and D17. The broadcaster has 3,500 staff -

who last went on strike back in 2003.