Paris — Commuters across France faced severe disruptions on Tuesday as rail workers launched three months of rolling strikes in a major test of President Emmanuel Macron’s resolve to reshape the country through sweeping reforms. More than three-quarters of train drivers joined the first day of the walkout, according to the SNCF, the heavily indebted state rail operator which Macron wants to overhaul. But overall only a third of staff were on strike, the company said. Only one in eight high-speed TGV trains and a fifth of regional trains were running on what French media have dubbed black Tuesday. And with stoppages planned two days out of five until June 28, weeks of disruption lie ahead for France’s 4.5-million daily train passengers. "We have been asking for the same thing for several weeks — that the government completely reconsider its plan. They need to start again from scratch," Philippe Martinez, head of the CGT trade union, told France Inter radio. Staff at Air France, rubbi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.