36-hour train strike next week

TRAIN drivers and conductors will today confirm plans for a 36-hour strike starting at 20.00 on May 26.

Four unions representing railway staff - the CGT, Unsa, Sud-rail and CFDT - will lodge a formal préavis de grève this morning.

The strike will affect train services nationally until at least 8.00 on Friday, May 28.

Paris bus and metro workers at the RATP have also confirmed they will be striking next Thursday as part of the big national industry-wide day of strike action.

The action has been called to protest against the government's pension reforms, including a proposed increase in the legal retirement age, which is currently 60.

The government gave a basic outline of its plans to unions earlier this week, and more details are expected around July when the draft law will begin its passage through parliament.

Check ConnexionFrance.com next week for full details of which professions are on strike and what effect it is likely to have.