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| France labour dispute: Wave of strike action nationwide | France labour dispute: Wave of strike action nationwide |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Industrial action over labour law reforms is gripping France nationwide, with oil refineries, nuclear power stations and transport hubs affected. | Industrial action over labour law reforms is gripping France nationwide, with oil refineries, nuclear power stations and transport hubs affected. |
| Motorways and bridges were blocked and flights delayed while clashes erupted with police in Paris and other cities. | |
| Prime Minister Manuel Valls insists the reforms will not be withdrawn but has suggested they could be "modified". | Prime Minister Manuel Valls insists the reforms will not be withdrawn but has suggested they could be "modified". |
| The action, building over three months, comes two weeks before France hosts the Euro 2016 football championships. | The action, building over three months, comes two weeks before France hosts the Euro 2016 football championships. |
| A state of emergency imposed after November's deadly attack by militants from the co-called Islamic State group in Paris remains in place. | A state of emergency imposed after November's deadly attack by militants from the co-called Islamic State group in Paris remains in place. |
| The CGT union is leading the action, supported by six other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms. | The CGT union is leading the action, supported by six other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms. |
| Dozens of people broke away from a demonstration in Paris on Thursday and set about smashing shop windows and parked cars in a side street. | Dozens of people broke away from a demonstration in Paris on Thursday and set about smashing shop windows and parked cars in a side street. |
| Masked youths hurled bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. | Masked youths hurled bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. |
| Elsewhere in France on Thursday: | Elsewhere in France on Thursday: |
| French labour reform bill - main points | French labour reform bill - main points |
| Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers has brought further disruption to regional and commuter rail services. | Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers has brought further disruption to regional and commuter rail services. |
| CGT union members at nuclear power plants voted on Wednesday to join the strike, and the union said 16 of the country's 19 power stations would be affected. | CGT union members at nuclear power plants voted on Wednesday to join the strike, and the union said 16 of the country's 19 power stations would be affected. |
| Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. Grid operator RTE said nuclear power capacity was being cut by at least four gigawatts, equivalent to 6% of the country's total production capacity, on Thursday, Reuters news agency reports. | Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. Grid operator RTE said nuclear power capacity was being cut by at least four gigawatts, equivalent to 6% of the country's total production capacity, on Thursday, Reuters news agency reports. |
| Six of France's eight oil refineries have already been hit by strikes and barricades, as have major ports including Marseille and Le Havre. | Six of France's eight oil refineries have already been hit by strikes and barricades, as have major ports including Marseille and Le Havre. |
| As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Mr Valls indicated there might "still be changes, improvements" made to the labour reform laws. | As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Mr Valls indicated there might "still be changes, improvements" made to the labour reform laws. |
| But he rejected Finance Minister Michel Sapin's suggestion that Article 2 of the bill could be rewritten. Article 2 gives individual companies the power to opt out of national obligations on labour protection if they feel they need to - something the CGT union is fiercely opposed to. | But he rejected Finance Minister Michel Sapin's suggestion that Article 2 of the bill could be rewritten. Article 2 gives individual companies the power to opt out of national obligations on labour protection if they feel they need to - something the CGT union is fiercely opposed to. |
| Pumps running dry | Pumps running dry |
| The French Union of Petroleum Industries says a third of France's 12,000 petrol stations are now running dry. | The French Union of Petroleum Industries says a third of France's 12,000 petrol stations are now running dry. |
| It said the government had begun using its strategic fuel reserves, which analysts say will last around four months. | It said the government had begun using its strategic fuel reserves, which analysts say will last around four months. |
| 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. |
| Unions were enraged by the government's decision to use a constitutional device allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval. | Unions were enraged by the government's decision to use a constitutional device allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval. |
| 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. |
| Are you in France and affected by the strikes? Are you a worker taking part in industrial action? Or are you about to travel to France and concerned about how the strikes will affect you? Please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in France and affected by the strikes? Are you a worker taking part in industrial action? Or are you about to travel to France and concerned about how the strikes will affect you? Please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |