Pourquoi...Why

Translations from the free metro newspaper Direct Matin that answers the Pourquoi questions. Only those related to France are translated

  • Taxi Strike at the Bastille and taxis had this sign taped on to their windows "L'union fait la forcee..ensemble demain" ("United we are strong....Together tomorrow" Je suis Taxi
    Pourquoi...Why

    Why Strikes are Called “Faire Grève”

    The phrase “faire grêve” takes its name from a place in Paris: Place de Grève. In today’s terms “faire grêve” means to go on strike. This site is the current place Historically, France has seasonal work strikes. Most strikes end before the last weekend of June. The last week of June starts the vacation season. The strikes resume in September. Around 1350s, this area was sandy, gravely, and was easily accessible to load and unload cargo (grain, hay, wine, wood, etc.) from the shores of the Seine. With this activity, it became a central part of the city for demonstrations, commerce and executions. The unemployed gathered here hoping to find…