France braces for severe disruption amid biggest strike in decades
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France is preparing for severe disruption as millions of workers go on strike in protest at being forced to retire later or face reduced pensions.
School and transport workers will join police, lawyers and hospital and airport staff in a general walkout.
The last strike of this potential size was in 1995, when the country was frozen for three weeks.
International travel will be also affected. In an anticipatory measure, Eurostar has cancelled all trains to and from Paris from December 5th at least until December 9th. Around one fifth of all flights into and out of France will be cancelled on Thursday.
France’s largest nationwide strike in years was agreed by unions unhappy with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans for a universal points-based pension system.
Authorities have been trying to put in place plans to mediate the disruption.
The industrial action is expected to last beyond Thursday and some trade union leaders have warned they will continue their industrial action until Mr Macron abandons his campaign promise to overhaul the retirement system.
One opinion poll put public support for the strikes at 69%, with backing strongest among 18-34 year-olds.
