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| French labour dispute: Nuclear power plant workers to join strike | French labour dispute: Nuclear power plant workers to join strike |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Workers at French nuclear power stations are due to down tools on Thursday amid growing industrial action over controversial labour reforms. | Workers at French nuclear power stations are due to down tools on Thursday amid growing industrial action over controversial labour reforms. |
| The CGT union said staff at 16 of France's 19 nuclear plants had voted for a one-day strike. | The CGT union said staff at 16 of France's 19 nuclear plants had voted for a one-day strike. |
| The government said on Wednesday it was dipping into strategic oil reserves as strikers blockaded refineries. | The government said on Wednesday it was dipping into strategic oil reserves as strikers blockaded refineries. |
| Unions want the government to reverse controversial labour reforms forced through parliament earlier this month. | Unions want the government to reverse controversial labour reforms forced through parliament earlier this month. |
| France's state-run power company, Electricite de France, declined to comment on how Thursday's one-day strike at nuclear plants would affect supply. | France's state-run power company, Electricite de France, declined to comment on how Thursday's one-day strike at nuclear plants would affect supply. |
| Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. | Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. |
| Strikes and blockades are already disrupting six of France's eight oil refineries. | Strikes and blockades are already disrupting six of France's eight oil refineries. |
| Clashes broke out at one refinery on Tuesday when police broke up a blockade at Fos-sur-Mer in Marseille. | Clashes broke out at one refinery on Tuesday when police broke up a blockade at Fos-sur-Mer in Marseille. |
| Workers at a large oil terminal in the port of Le Havre were due to go on strike on Thursday to block imports. | Workers at a large oil terminal in the port of Le Havre were due to go on strike on Thursday to block imports. |
| Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said 40% of petrol stations around Paris were struggling to get fuel. | Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said 40% of petrol stations around Paris were struggling to get fuel. |
| Motorists have been panic-buying to avoid shortages. | |
| President Francois Hollande told ministers on Wednesday that "everything will be done to ensure the French people and the economy is supplied". | President Francois Hollande told ministers on Wednesday that "everything will be done to ensure the French people and the economy is supplied". |
| Analysts say France has nearly four months of fuel reserves. | Analysts say France has nearly four months of fuel reserves. |
| Industrial action also spread to France's railways on Wednesday, with a strike by train drivers cutting some high-speed TGV services as well as regional and commuter trains. More transport disruption was expected on Thursday. | Industrial action also spread to France's railways on Wednesday, with a strike by train drivers cutting some high-speed TGV services as well as regional and commuter trains. More transport disruption was expected on Thursday. |
| The CGT has also called for protest rallies in cities across France. | The CGT has also called for protest rallies in cities across France. |
| The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the escalating action is raising concerns for the Euro 2016 football championships due to begin in France in just over two weeks' time. | The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the escalating action is raising concerns for the Euro 2016 football championships due to begin in France in just over two weeks' time. |
| The government provoked union outrage when it resorted to a constitutional device to force its watered-down labour reforms through parliament without a vote. | The government provoked union outrage when it resorted to a constitutional device to force its watered-down labour reforms through parliament without a vote. |
| The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment. | The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment. |
| French labour reform bill - main points | French labour reform bill - main points |