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French labour dispute: Widespread strikes cause disruption | |
(35 minutes later) | |
France is being hit by serious disruption as unions lead strike action at oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport hubs. | |
Motorways, bridges and tunnels have been blockaded, and flights and rail services affected. | |
Nuclear power production has slowed, and fuel remains in short supply. | Nuclear power production has slowed, and fuel remains in short supply. |
PM Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified". | |
The French government is under increasing pressure to give ground as the country prepares to host the Euro 2016 championships in two weeks' time, correspondents say. | |
The unions have called for rallies in most major cities. | |
Hundreds of workers marched into the port city of Le Havre, in Normandy, having blocked off the nearby Bridge of Normandy. | |
To the east, a nuclear submarine base was also blocked off by striking workers. | |
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 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. | 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". |
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 |