France: 'Zombie Eradication Force' Unionizes, then Strikes
Paris, France- ZWN (AP
Posted Sept. 11th. 2010, ZWN (AP

The 'Zombie Eradication Force,' (ZEF) a frontline unit of government trained private security forces, once hailed by Prime Minister François Fillonas as "the savior of modern French civilization" called for a national strike starting Monday.

Although recently unionized, 'excessive man hours, dangerous tasks and inadequate equipment', has left the ZEF facing dwindling numbers of recruits, a union spokesperson said today. This statement was a rallying call preceding a threatened general strike.

The ZEF once numbered over 3000 members and was hailed as a significant weapon in the defense against the spreading necro-mortosis pandemic throughout Europe.

Recently however, a series of encounters with undead herds in Toulouse and Bordeaux, has left 73 members dead, a further 19 infected and quarantined.

The Spanish/French border has seen much bloodshed and devastation throughout 2010, as heavily infected neighboring Spain struggles to contain it's own infected, many wander towards France's ever tightening borders. The ZEF, contracted to help secure French perimeters, is struggling to sustain it's role effectively.

Controversial
Overly zealous killings of non infected citizens, has exposed the ZEF to severe critisism for its aggressive tactics. Consequently, it is facing several private lawsuits, Last April, it unionized. This was seen by many as a cynical attempt to strengthen and legitimize itself within the eyes of the French people.

Isabelle Boulliere, a ZEF employee since 2009, says "All we want is recognition that our job is very dangerous and stressful to us and our families. We only ask for better equipment to do our job and financial protection for our families if we are injured."

An official for her union says ZEF members feel betrayed that the government has failed to sufficiently fund them, and dwindling recruits, rumored to be down 50% has left the once thriving 3000 member corp. at less than 2200 members to date.

A national strike was called to begin Monday. It's aim is to better fund the ZEF with weapons, defense equipment, better training, higher wages and death benefits for family members.

Serious implications
The implications of a national strike are serious. The stakes very high. Without the ZEF's presence at border checkpoints and other strategic places, France's border with Spain will become highly vulnerable to undead intrusion.

President Sarkozy has said that he agrees reforms are needed but right now the government cannot cannot fund the ZEF any more than it is already doing.

Strikes in 39 cities and towns are planned throughout the week.