Bastia, Corsica ? The flame of protest in Corsica is burning bright again as labor strikes feed off the simmering independence movement on the French Mediterranean island.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, facing one of his sternest labor tests so far, was sending his economics and transportation ministers for talks with unionists today in Marseille, his office said Sunday.

The latest upheaval began Sept. 26, after the government announced plans to privatize the state-run ferry operator linking Corsica with mainland France.

Protesting sailors responded with a series of strikes that shut down port activities on the island and in southeast France.

Villepin then announced a new rescue plan for SNCM that backed off plans for a full privatization.

But restive union leaders pressed on with strikes.

Police on Saturday forcibly evicted striking workers who had occupied three ports to allow oil shipments and ferry traffic to resume.

By Sunday, tensions were easing. Union officials called a halt to the strikes in all Corsican ports, at least until Tuesday.

At least a third of the estimated 15,000 tourists stranded on Corsica for days began returning to the mainland as ferry service resumed.