French Union Smackdown!

Wow, what I wouldn't give to have watched this action!

AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) -- Riot police on Saturday forcibly expelled striking union workers who had blockaded ports in Corsica and southeastern France for days to protest against the planned privatization of a state-run ferry operator, officials said.

In the Corsican port of Ajaccio, police backed by an EC-145 helicopter and armored vehicles removed trucks, trailers and about 10 striking workers who had blocked access to the only cargo vessel in the port, police officials said. No injuries were reported.

The French Mediterranean island was nearly cut off from the rest of Europe on Friday when strikes spread to airports and severed maritime links. A rocket attack added to the mounting tensions.

Two things I can't stand: unions, and the French government, fighting. It absolutely doesn't get any more entertaining than that.

UPDATE: But wait! Here's another European strike story!

Dancers at the world famous La Scala opera house in Milan are going on strike to protest at the size of their dressing rooms.

The Italian opera house underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in recent years, reopening last December.

But the dancers say their dressing rooms are too small and they are being squeezed out in order to make more room for the orchestra.

The industrial action is expected to stop 10 performances.

The extensive renovation work - which took three years to complete and cost an estimated £42m - was done to improve the theatre's acoustics and ability to stage productions.

Dressing rooms. They're striking over dressing rooms in a building that was just remodeled. Don't they think the timing on this may be a little off?