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| French labour dispute: Widespread strikes cause disruption | French labour dispute: Widespread strikes cause disruption |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| France is being hit by serious disruption as unions lead strike action at oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport hubs. | France is being hit by serious disruption as unions lead strike action at oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport hubs. |
| Motorways and bridges have been blockaded, flights have been delayed. | |
| In Paris, there have been clashes between police and groups of youths, an AFP reporter said. | |
| PM Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified". | PM Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified". |
| Protests are taking place across France, with the biggest rally in Paris. | |
| Dozens of people broke away from the demonstration and set about smashing shop windows and parked cars in a side street. | |
| Masked youths hurled bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. | |
| 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 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. |
| Hundreds of workers marched into the port city of Le Havre, in Normandy, having blocked off the nearby Bridge of Normandy. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | |
| 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 were 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 |