Strike Question

[Mark]

I have a question...if St Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique are all part of France and are island in the Caribbean, then why are locals striking and rioting in Guadeloupe and Martinique and not in St Martin???

 

What is the difference in lifestyle for the citiznes of St Martin as compared to the other two French islands? Are the folks on St Martin better off?

[zider]

I have a question...if St Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique are all part of France and are island in the Caribbean, then why are locals striking and rioting in Guadeloupe and Martinique and not in St Martin???

 

What is the difference in lifestyle for the citiznes of St Martin as compared to the other two French islands? Are the folks on St Martin better off?

s l

 

LOOK at this link

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/02/18/30281/hotels-and-cruiselines-hit-by-french-caribbean-strikes.html

 

Guadeloupe and Martinique are all part of France, St Martin,is half French & half Dutch

[Mark]

Zider,

 

Yes I know...thank you...I have been there...I was asking about the French citizens living on the French side of St Martin...

 

Mark

[jcumming]

Good question Mark as citizens of St Martin are indeed French citizens whereas citizen of Sint Maarten are not quite Dutch citizens.

[gtaylor]

Unrest is stirring on St. Martin, as well.

 

From the local paper:

 

Friday 13th, 2009

http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/l228/protestl228.html

MARIGOT--Protestors take to the streets of Marigot again today for a peaceful march amid growing signs a larger social movement is building here on the back of the grievances that prompted the general strike in Guadeloupe.

Saturday (No link)

MARIGOT--Organisers and union leaders who spearheaded yesterday’s protest march submitted their list of demands to Préfet Délégué Dominique Lacroix and President Frantz Gumbs for perusal as an estimated 500- 600 persons filled the streets of Marigot in arguably one of the largest protest actions undertaken for some time.

The movement in St. Martin is seeking many of the objectives for which protesters in Guadeloupe and Martinique are also fighting in their long-running strike. The protests here have been conducted in a peaceful manner to date.

 

Tuesday (No link)

MARIGOT--Establishing work groups and setting an agenda of meetings between now and the end of March were the first positive steps forward decided on by a delegation of negotiators and Collectivité officials on Monday in the joint effort to resolve the many issues that prompted Friday’s mass protest march in Marigot.

 

gary

[Buellwinkle]

Great, something to look forward to on our cruise. Anyone know any good french strike chants?

[gtaylor]

Update from the island:

 

Ship Diverted to Marigot

 

MARIGOT--Cruise ship passengers aboard Celebrity

Cruise’s Azsmera Journey got to experience Marigot instead

of sister French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe

Wednesday.

The ship was diverted to Marigot Bay because of unrest in

the two French islands which has spilled over to some violence

in the streets.

Taking no chances, the cruise company directed its ship to

take passengers to the safer port on the French side where

they could still get some French fl are and Caribbean sunshine.

 

gary