French researchers join mass protest over continuing cuts

Some 15 000 research scientists gathered outside Paris City Hall on 9 March where a movement called Save Research organised a mass protest in which more than 2000 of the country's 3500 scientists who lead laboratory research teams handed in “resignation” letters in which they stated that they were boycotting their administrative duties.

Save Research is protesting against the government's axing of 550 permanent research jobs and increasing budgetary restrictions. The rally kicked off a week of protests by French public sector workers on poor levels of pay.

Two days after the lobby at City Hall, the scientists marched with about 2000 hospital workers protesting at a government plan to overhaul the public hospital system by 2007, and on 12 March scientists joined nearly 100 000 …