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French labour dispute: Nuclear power plant workers to join strike French labour dispute: Energy supplies hit by strike action
(35 minutes later)
Workers at French nuclear power stations are due to down tools amid growing industrial action over controversial labour reforms. France is braced for further disruption to its energy supplies as workers at oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport go on strike.
The CGT union said staff at 16 of France's 19 nuclear plants had voted for a one-day strike. But in a sign of the growing pressure on the government, PM Manuel Valls said the labour reforms at the heart of the dispute could be "modified".
Petrol is already in short supply after days of strikes, and nuclear power stations were reducing operations ahead of Thursday's action. Motorists have been panic buying fuel, some petrol stations struggled to get supplies.
PM Manuel Valls has indicated he could modify the labour laws. France is due to host the Euro 2016 championships in two weeks time.
He told French TV that "there may still be changes, improvements" but the reforms would not be withdrawn. Union disruption was expected to take place at:
The strikes have put huge pressure on the government, which is preparing to host the Euro 2016 football championships in two weeks time. Orly airport in Paris has cut flights by 15% and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter services.
There have been long queues at petrol stations as strikes and blockades disrupting six of France's eight oil refineries affected supplies. The unions have also called for rallies in most major cities.
Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said 40% of petrol stations around Paris were struggling to get fuel. CGT union member at nuclear power plants voted on Wednesday to join the strike.
France has nearly four months of fuel reserves, analysts say. 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.
Meanwhile, the French Union of Petroleum Industries says a third of France's 12,000 petrol stations are running dry.
It said the government had begun using its strategic fuel reserves, which analysts say will last around four months.
Transport Minister Alain Vidalies has said 40% of petrol stations around Paris are struggling to get fuel.
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".
Clashes As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Valls said that although the new labour laws would not be withdrawn, "there may still be changes, improvements".
Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. There has been no reaction from the CGT union, which has led the way with the action.
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. It was 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.
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.
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 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 pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
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.ukAre 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
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