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French unions strike over reforms France bracing for strike chaos
(about 1 hour later)
France's national rail workers have begun an open-ended strike called in protest at President Nicolas Sarkozy's planned pension reforms. Commuters are facing travel chaos in France as transport unions broaden a strike in protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms.
Rail employees stopped work at 2000 (1900 GMT) on Tuesday and thousands of commuters face severe disruption. Rail employees stopped work at 2000 (1900 GMT) on Tuesday and were joined by workers in the state-run gas and electricity sectors on Wednesday.
Workers in the state-run gas and electricity companies have now joined the strike. Bus and Paris metro services are also set to join the open-ended strike.
Eurostar says the first train services from London's new St Pancras terminal will be unaffected by the action. The next few days will be a real test of Mr Sarkozy's nerve, reports the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby from Paris.
The next few days will be a real test of the French prime minister's nerve, reports the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby from Paris. Eurostar has said the first train services from London's new St Pancras terminal will be unaffected by the industrial action.
"Tomorrow is going to be a hellish day for travellers and perhaps for many days beyond that," Labour Minister Xavier Betrand warned on Tuesday. Contingency plans
Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand warned that Wednesday would be "a hellish day for travellers and perhaps for many days beyond that". The French people approved these reforms Nicolas Sarkozy
That view was echoed by Prime Minister Francois Fillon who told parliament: "Millions of French people will be deprived of their fundamental freedom, the freedom of movement and even perhaps to work."That view was echoed by Prime Minister Francois Fillon who told parliament: "Millions of French people will be deprived of their fundamental freedom, the freedom of movement and even perhaps to work."
Teachers and civil servants look set to become the next groups to join the strike on 20 November.Teachers and civil servants look set to become the next groups to join the strike on 20 November.
Mandate for change
Only 90 of the country's 700 high-speed TGV trains are set to run, commuter train services will also be severely reduced, and there will be "almost no" metro service in Paris, metro operator RATP and rail operator SNCF told AFP news agency.Only 90 of the country's 700 high-speed TGV trains are set to run, commuter train services will also be severely reduced, and there will be "almost no" metro service in Paris, metro operator RATP and rail operator SNCF told AFP news agency.
The French people approved these reforms Nicolas Sarkozy Many Parisians were planning to share cars, rent popular city bicycles or simply stay at home.
"I'll work on my calves," Paris accountant Xavier Basset told the Associated Press news agency as he was preparing for a 6km (4 mile) walk to his office.
Mandate for change
Mr Sarkozy wants to cut pensions that allow some public employees to retire as early as 50 and says he is determined to stay the course, despite the strike threat.Mr Sarkozy wants to cut pensions that allow some public employees to retire as early as 50 and says he is determined to stay the course, despite the strike threat.
"I will carry out these reforms right to the end. Nothing will put me off my goal," he told the European Parliament during a visit to Strasbourg, reminding everyone that he was elected on a reform mandate."I will carry out these reforms right to the end. Nothing will put me off my goal," he told the European Parliament during a visit to Strasbourg, reminding everyone that he was elected on a reform mandate.
"The French people approved these reforms. I told them all about it before the elections so that I would be able to do what was necessary afterwards," AFP quoted him as saying."The French people approved these reforms. I told them all about it before the elections so that I would be able to do what was necessary afterwards," AFP quoted him as saying.
But a spokesman for the CGT trade union disagreed with Mr Sarkozy's logic.But a spokesman for the CGT trade union disagreed with Mr Sarkozy's logic.
"If reforms for the French citizen means that they are going to be working more and getting less pension at the end of the deal, I'm not quite sure all the French are agreeing with this approach," Oliver Sekai told the BBC."If reforms for the French citizen means that they are going to be working more and getting less pension at the end of the deal, I'm not quite sure all the French are agreeing with this approach," Oliver Sekai told the BBC.
Our correspondent says that Mr Sarkozy's resolve to stand up to France's powerful unions now faces a real test and his reputation rides on his success.Our correspondent says that Mr Sarkozy's resolve to stand up to France's powerful unions now faces a real test and his reputation rides on his success.
And though he has promised he will stand firm against the strikes, our correspondent adds, at the same time he will be anxious to avoid the kind of street protests which occurred in 1995 when the French government last tried to reform the pension system.And though he has promised he will stand firm against the strikes, our correspondent adds, at the same time he will be anxious to avoid the kind of street protests which occurred in 1995 when the French government last tried to reform the pension system.