France is facing a nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers that has left the country with almost no train, bus or metro services.
France is facing a nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers that has left the country with almost no train, bus or metro services.
The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT).
The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT).
It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges.
It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges.
It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, with thousands of fans arriving in Paris.
It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, with thousands of fans arriving in Paris.
Trade unions plan to hold street demonstrations in some 60 towns and cities in their campaign to protect pension systems enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers.
Trade unions plan to hold street demonstrations in some 60 towns and cities in their campaign to protect pension systems enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers.
Just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said.
Just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said.
Mr Sarkozy has vowed to phase out 'special regimes'In Paris, metro, bus and regional commuter networks are laying on a skeleton service.
Mr Sarkozy has vowed to phase out 'special regimes'In Paris, metro, bus and regional commuter networks are laying on a skeleton service.
With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority was warning that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work.
With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority was warning that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work.
Travellers have been urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters have made arrangements to take the day off or work from home, the French news agency AFP reports.
Travellers have been urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters have made arrangements to take the day off or work from home, the French news agency AFP reports.
Others were planning car-shares or to use the capital's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme.
Others were planning car-shares or to use the capital's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme.
With commuters relying on their cars, traffic bottlenecks were expected as early as 0530 on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said.
With commuters relying on their cars, traffic bottlenecks were expected as early as 0530 on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said.
But the SNCF sought to reassure England rugby fans that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday.
But the SNCF sought to reassure England rugby fans that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday.
'Calmly but firmly'
'Calmly but firmly'
Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow.
Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow.
Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added.
Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added.
However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable".
However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable".
Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly".
Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly".
Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees.
Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees.
Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50.
Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50.
The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year.
The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year.
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