French train drivers, teachers and refinery workers were among those who walked off their jobs on Thursday (19 January) in a nationwide day of strikes against government plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 64.
by EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Part 2 - Public transport woes
Public transport was severely disrupted. Only between one-in-three and one-in-five high-speed TGV lines were operating, with barely any local or regional trains running, the SNCF rail operator said.
In Paris, some metro stations were closed and traffic was seriously disrupted, with few trains running.
In the busy Gare du Nord station, people rushed to catch the few trains still operating while employees in yellow vests were assisting frazzled commuters.
Zoheir Djema, 42, who arrived at the station from nearby Chantilly, said he would head back home after he found out there would be no return trains in the afternoon.
Restaurant worker Beverly Gahinet, who missed work because her train was cancelled, said she agreed with the strike even if she was not taking part.
In Paris, some metro stations were closed and traffic was seriously disrupted, with few trains running.
In the busy Gare du Nord station, people rushed to catch the few trains still operating while employees in yellow vests were assisting frazzled commuters.
Zoheir Djema, 42, who arrived at the station from nearby Chantilly, said he would head back home after he found out there would be no return trains in the afternoon.
Restaurant worker Beverly Gahinet, who missed work because her train was cancelled, said she agreed with the strike even if she was not taking part.
But not all were so understanding.
“I don’t understand, it’s always the same (people) who are on strike … and we have to endure it,” said real estate worker Virginie Pinto, as she struggled to find a metro to go to work.
A 2007 ban on wildcat walkouts and restrictions on strikes to guarantee minimum public services have limited unions’ ability to wear down governments’ reform ambitions.
The fact that working from home is much more common now since the pandemic could also have an impact.
“I don’t understand, it’s always the same (people) who are on strike … and we have to endure it,” said real estate worker Virginie Pinto, as she struggled to find a metro to go to work.
A 2007 ban on wildcat walkouts and restrictions on strikes to guarantee minimum public services have limited unions’ ability to wear down governments’ reform ambitions.
The fact that working from home is much more common now since the pandemic could also have an impact.
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