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| French labour dispute: Protesters barricade key sites | French labour dispute: Protesters barricade key sites |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Strike action by unions at French oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport networks is leading to serious nationwide disruption. | |
| PM Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified". | PM Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified". |
| Striking workers have blockaded motorways and bridges, as well as a nuclear submarine base in Normandy. | Striking workers have blockaded motorways and bridges, as well as a nuclear submarine base in Normandy. |
| Nuclear power production has slowed, and fuel remains in short supply. | Nuclear power production has slowed, and fuel remains in short supply. |
| Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter rail services. | Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter rail services. |
| The unions have called for rallies in most major cities. | |
| Hundreds of workers blocked access to the Bridge of Normandy outside the key port city of Le Havre. The Associated Press reported strikers were throwing smoke bombs into fountains in the city itself. | |
| The AP's Raphael Satter tweeted a photo he said was of paint bombs being pelted against City Hall. | |
| 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 may still be changes, improvements" made to the labour reform laws. | As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Mr Valls indicated "there may 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. | |
| 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 are struggling to get fuel. | Transport Minister Alain Vidalies 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". |
| France is due to host the Euro 2016 championships in two weeks' time. | France is due to host the Euro 2016 championships in two weeks' time. |
| The CGT and other 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 CGT and other 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. |
| French labour reform bill - main points | French 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.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 |