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France bracing for strike chaos France 'crippled' by strike chaos
(about 2 hours later)
Commuters are facing travel chaos in France as transport unions broaden a strike in protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms. France is suffering travel chaos after transport unions broadened a strike in protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reforms.
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. Train, subway and bus workers joined an open-ended walk-out. Hundreds of kilometres of traffic jams were reported on roads into the capital.
Bus and Paris metro services have also joined the open-ended strike. State-run gas and electricity sectors workers are also protesting.
The next few days will be a real test of Mr Sarkozy's nerve, reports the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby from Paris. The government and the unions have resumed talks but the transport stoppage could last for several days.
Eurostar has said the first train services from London's new St Pancras terminal will be unaffected by the industrial action. The BBC's Alasdair Sandford in Paris says that with students, teachers, civil servants and even magistrates threatening strike action over separate issues, the fear for the government is that this becomes a general wave of protest against economic hardship.
STRIKE SPREADS RAIL: Seven of eight unions at the state-owned SNCF rail company began an open-ended strike on 13 NovemberPARIS METRO/BUS: Five of eight unions joined an open-ended strike on 14 NovemberENERGY: Seven unions at state-owned EDF and GDF utilities strike on 14 NovemberPARIS OPERA HOUSE: Four unions representing staff join strike on 14 November. Open-ended strike by La Comedie Francaise, the state theatre
Contingency plansContingency 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 Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand warned that Wednesday would be "a hellish day for travellers and perhaps for many days beyond that".
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."
More than 300km (190 miles) of traffic jams were reported on roads heading into Paris, twice the daily average. Early on Wednesday, more than 300km (190 miles) of traffic jams were reported on roads heading into Paris, twice the daily average.
The BBC's Alasdair Sandford in Paris says there are a lot more cars, scooters and bicycles on the capital's roads - some people even opted for roller blades to beat the traffic. Our correspondent says Parisians have been improvising in their battle to get to work - driving in earlier than usual, car sharing or taking to bikes and roller blades.
He says there are some train services operating but far fewer than normal and that the national picture is bleak. Rail employees stopped work at 2000 (1900 GMT) on Tuesday. Only 90 of the country's 700 high-speed TGV trains are said to be running. Commuter train services are also severely reduced.
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 warned earlier on Wednesday. The metro service in Paris is running at 20% capacity, metro operator RATP said. Bus services are also affected.
Many Parisians were planning to share cars, rent hotel rooms close to their offices or simply stay at home. Eurostar has said the first train services from London's new St Pancras terminal will be unaffected by the industrial action.
"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. Gas and electricity workers joined their striking rail colleagues on Wednesday threatening targeted blackouts, as their pension schemes are also facing reform.
Mandate for changeMandate 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 on a full pension 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. Just one in five metro trains are operating in Paris"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.
Teachers and civil servants look set to become the next groups to join the strike on 20 November. Analysts say 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, they say, 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.
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