Tensions mount over French transport strike

PARIS: Tensions between the French government and unions opposed to pension reforms mounted on the 11th day of a crippling transport strike Sunday, with the prime minister warning the French would not tolerate being stranded at Christmas.

The pensions overhaul, unveiled this week by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, would fold France´s 42 separate pension schemes — including the early retirement schemes covering train drivers, dockers and several other professions — into one system that requires people to work for longer.

Philippe particularly angered the unions by proposing a reduced payout for people who retire at the legal age of 62 instead of a new, so-called “pivot age” of 64.

Train traffic was again severely disrupted Sunday. In Paris, meanwhile, public transport remained at a near-standstill, with only two of the city´s 16 metro lines operating and most national rail services cancelled.

The unions have announced a third day of mass protests for Tuesday, which is expected to bring tens of thousands of people onto the streets.

The strike organisers are hoping for a repeat of 1995, when they forced a centre-right government to back down on pension reform after three weeks of metro and rail strikes just before Christmas.

The prospect of a protracted standoff has businesses fearing big losses during the crucial year-end festivities, and travellers worried that their holiday plans will fall through.

Philippe told Le Parisien daily in an interview for its Sunday edition that the French, many of whom travel to be with family at Christmas, would not take kindly to being kept apart.

“Christmas is an important time,” he said. “I don´t think the French would accept being deprived of that time,” he said, warning the unions to “assume their responsibilities.” He sought to downplay the scale of 11 days of industrial action, which have hit schools, key ports and oil refineries and starved retailers and restaurants of footfall.

“Things are not completely blocked but it´s bothersome,” he said.