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French labour dispute: Nuclear power plant workers to join strike | French labour dispute: Nuclear power plant workers to join strike |
(35 minutes later) | |
Workers at French nuclear power stations are due to down tools 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. |
Petrol is already in short supply after days of strikes, and nuclear power stations were reducing operations ahead of Thursday's action. | |
PM Manuel Valls has indicated he could modify the labour laws. | |
He told French TV that "there may still be changes, improvements" but the reforms would not be withdrawn. | |
The strikes have put huge pressure on the government, which is preparing to host the Euro 2016 football championships in two weeks time. | |
There have been long queues at petrol stations as strikes and blockades disrupting six of France's eight oil refineries affected supplies. | |
Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said 40% of petrol stations around Paris were struggling to get fuel. | |
France has nearly four months of fuel reserves, analysts say. | |
President Francois Hollande told ministers on Wednesday that "everything will be done to ensure the French people and the economy is supplied". | |
Clashes | |
Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. | Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. |
Grid operator RTE said French nuclear power capacity was being cut by at least four gigawatts - equivalent to 6% of the country's total production capacity - Reuters news agency reports. | |
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. |
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 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 |
36385778 | |
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