Major French unions representing workers in the transport, education and health sectors are striking Friday to protest austerity measures and demand increased wages and gender equality.
France went through a major cross-union strike movement from January to May to fight the government’s pension reform, albeit unsuccessfully. Friday’s action will see primary school teachers and transport workers – including those in civil aviation – walk off the job. Significant flight disruptions are expected at airports across France as some air traffic controllers join the strike.
Aviation authorities expect 40 percent of flights at Paris’s Orly Airport to be cancelled, 20 percent in Marseille and 15 percent at the smaller Beavais Airport near Paris.
Meanwhile disruption to regional and intercity rail transport is expected, with at least three railway unions urging staff to walk off the job. State-owned rail service provider SNCF anticipates high-speed TGV trains to operate mostly normally.
The energy production sector will also be affected with workers at electricity company EDF on strike. Past industrial action at EDF has seen power cuts of several gigawatts from nuclear and hydro plants.
‘Black Friday’ for private doctors
Coincidently private doctors have called a separate strike for Friday ahead of new price negotiations and the examination of a bill on the matter in the Senate.
Dubbed Black Friday, the action is intended to send a « strong signal » to authorities, organisers said, adding the strike would be renewed.
The unions are hoping for a significant turnout to demonstrate that without private doctors, which represent about 10 percent of the workforce, France’s healthcare system would be in trouble.
Source: RFI
