Clashes break out between striking rail workers and French police
Striking rail workers clashed with riot police in Paris on Monday as they protested against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms.
Hundreds of activists and strikers gathered outside the Gare de Lyon station in Paris, the departure point for large numbers of holidaymakers heading to ski resorts in the Alps. They set off flares and fireworks, and helmeted police fired tear gas.
Less than half of France’s trains are running this week and the platforms were packed with frustrated travellers left waiting after many services were cancelled or delayed.
Unionists made angry speeches denouncing the proposed overhaul of France’s byzantine pension system. They vowed not to return to work until the government scraps its reform plans.
Jacques Duclos, a striking train driver, said: “It’s obvious that the government thinks it can wear us down. They’re betting that we’ll get tired, or run out of money, but we’re ready to strike until February.”
The main trade unions have rejected the president’s appeal for a festive season truce and small numbers of activists also demonstrated in other cities. The strikes are now in their third week and appear certain to continue over Christmas and into the New Year. No further negotiations between the unions and the government are scheduled until January 6, three days before a national day of protests planned by unions.
Nearly two-thirds of Paris Métro lines were closed and suburban trains were providing a limited service, causing huge crowds to gather at the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est stations.
At Paris’s most famous department store, Galeries Lafayettes, there were far fewer customers than usual for the last full shopping day before Christmas. “We’re getting some tourists, especially Chinese, but hardly any French people,” a saleswoman said.
Hotels and restaurants have reported a fall in tourism, with many last-minute cancellations.
Some taxi drivers were reportedly charging more than the usual flat rate to take travellers to airports because of mammoth traffic jams on the Paris ring road.
The Lavera oil refinery in southern France halted production as workers walked out on Monday. The CGT union warned that staff at other refineries could also vote to go on strike.
The government insists that it will drive through the reforms to introduce a “universal” pension system for all workers. It plans to scrap 42 special schemes for employees in sectors such as transport, energy and the civil service, lawyers, teachers and Paris Opera staff.
The more moderate unions accept the principle of a unified system but reject a government plan to raise the age at which workers can claim a full pension from 62 to 64. The government has angered transport workers with a plan to end concessions that allow many to retire in their 50s.
