PARIS, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- French riot police expanded job actions to protest threatened cutbacks Monday.
The Compagnies Republicaines de Securite faces the shutdown of some units in Lyon and Marseille, Radio France Internationale reported.
In Marseille, staff began a hunger strike Saturday, and 53 people called in sick Sunday.
In Strasbourg, several officers refused to eat lunch as a show of solidarity. In Perpignan, nearly all staff dressed in white.
Union leader Thierry Cauchy said the CRS has recently lost 1,300 staff members. To avoid closures, the CRS had agreed to lower each unit to 140 agents, he said.
Police unions met with the Interior Ministry Monday. UPI
