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France industrial unrest: Open-ended rail strike takes hold France industrial unrest: Open-ended rail strike takes hold
(35 minutes later)
An open-ended rail strike is taking hold in France just nine days before the country hosts the Euro 2016 football tournament.An open-ended rail strike is taking hold in France just nine days before the country hosts the Euro 2016 football tournament.
Only 60% of high-speed trains and between a third and a half of other services are expected to run, according to the state rail company (the SNCF).Only 60% of high-speed trains and between a third and a half of other services are expected to run, according to the state rail company (the SNCF).
Trade unions are protesting against work time changes but the strike comes amid general labour unrest.Trade unions are protesting against work time changes but the strike comes amid general labour unrest.
The wider protests are over a bill to shake up the labour market.The wider protests are over a bill to shake up the labour market.
The bill comes before the Senate this month, having passed through the lower house without a vote.The bill comes before the Senate this month, having passed through the lower house without a vote.
France's Socialist President, Francois Hollande, insists it will not be withdrawn despite months of unrest which erupted into street clashes between protesters and police at marches last Thursday.France's Socialist President, Francois Hollande, insists it will not be withdrawn despite months of unrest which erupted into street clashes between protesters and police at marches last Thursday.
Leading conservative opposition politician Nicolas Sarkozy has accused him of getting "everything wrong from the start" in his handling of the crisis.Leading conservative opposition politician Nicolas Sarkozy has accused him of getting "everything wrong from the start" in his handling of the crisis.
"Pushing [the bill] through by force cuts out debate," the former president said in an interview with magazine Valeurs Actuelles, due to be published on Thursday."Pushing [the bill] through by force cuts out debate," the former president said in an interview with magazine Valeurs Actuelles, due to be published on Thursday.
"If you don't accept the debate of ideas in parliament, then it moves to the streets.""If you don't accept the debate of ideas in parliament, then it moves to the streets."
French labour reform bill - main pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
Strike action led by the powerful CGT union began on Tuesday evening.
High-speed services to the UK and Germany (Eurostar and Alleo) are said to be normal but just 40% of Ellipsos services to Spain and a third of SVI services to Italy are expected to run.
The dispute centres on proposed changes to weekly rest provisions for train drivers.
The CGT has also called for a strike on the Paris Metro and other public transport services in the capital on Thursday.
A strike at oil refineries continued on Tuesday but fuel supplies to petrol stations have improved markedly, AFP news agency reports.
The next national day of action by trade unionists is due on 14 June, when the labour reform goes to the Senate.
Air transport is also expected to be disrupted this month by industrial action not linked directly to the labour law reform.
Have you been affected by the strikes? Do you have plans to travel to France in the coming days?Have you been affected by the strikes? Do you have plans to travel to France in the coming days?
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