Unions set to announce next step Monday, 5pm

Unions represented will include the powerful CGT General Labour Confederation), the FO, CFDT, Solidaires, the students union UNEF, and the UNL. They will meet in the late afternoon at the Rue des Ecluses, Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement (district) of Paris.

Union leaders have given Villepin til the begining of this meeting to withdraw the CPE or else face a general strike. "Of course it is an ultimatum. The government and the president have effectively 48 hours to decide," said Rene Valadon of the Workers' Force (FO).

Bernard Thibault, head of the CGT, said that "if nothing moves we will propose preparing a day of general work stoppages in the coming days. Conditions are such that it should be a success".