Further travel disruptions in France as rail strike looms

British travellers headed to France this coming week will face disruptions as transport workers and workers in the public sector strike over labour reforms that have been proposed by the French president.

Over the weekend, a four-day walk out by Air France pilots caused the cancellation of hundreds of domestic and international flights. That strike is due to end at midnight on Monday.

One-third of the airline’s long-haul services and at least half of its short- and medium-haul flights were cancelled on Monday, according to a spokesman for the airline.

The walk out by the pilots began on Thursday, and was staged in protest against a government proposal that would increase the retirement age of pilots from age 60 to 65. Despite assurances by the government that the early retirement provision would be optional, the strike continued on Monday.

The disruption in transportation will move to rail service on Tuesday, with train drivers from two of the workers’ unions planning to strike in opposition to proposed alterations in working hours.

A second walk out by train drivers who are represented by four additional unions will commence on the evening of 23 November.

Disruptions to domestic services throughout France are likely to be widespread. On 6 November, a strike by workers for SNCF led to half of the country’s rail services being cancelled, and one-third of all high-speed services as well.

www.sncf.com