How public sector strike could affect you

As people in France brace for widespread disruption caused by a national public sector strike, it has emerged that unions are meeting to discuss the possibility of further strikes and demonstrations in protest at the government's wide-ranging labour reforms.

In total, 5.4 million public sector workers have been called on to join in Tuesday's walk out in protest at the government’s plans to axe 120,000 jobs, a recently imposed pay freeze, planned changes to paid sick leave.

A total 130 demonstrations are planned across country.
Sector by sector, here is how the strike could affect you:

Airlines

Ryanair cancelled more than 220 flights on Tuesday, affecting some 40,000 passengers, while Easyjet and British Airways have warned of delays and cancellations as a result of the strike.

Air France, meanwhile, has said that it expects all its long-haul flights to operate, though they may be subject to delays, but warned that its medium and short-haul operations would be cut by 25%

The French civil aviation authority had demanded that airlines cut services by 30% due to the strike. The two main Paris airports - Charles de Gaulle and Orly - are among the most affected, along with Beauvais, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Nantes, but "disruption is expected throughout the country" on Tuesday, the transport ministry said in a statement.

Public transport

In Paris, some early morning RER B line services were delayed, as the nationwide strike kicked off, while some bus services will be diverted from their usual routes this afternoon to avoid a march between Place de la Republique and Place de la Nation. But RATP, which operates bus, metro and tram services in France said its operations would run almost as normal.

Minor disruption has been reported on some TER and Intercite services on Tuesday morning, but TGV, Eurostar and Thalys operations were expected to run as normal, the rail operator has said. Transilien trains have been largely unaffected, though R Line services were operating at 50% early on Tuesday.

Local public transport services are likely to be affected at the time of marches in towns and cities across the country, while other operations may also be subject changes, though major cities reported no major disruption was expected.

Schools

Teachers' union Snuipp-FSU 75 warned on Monday that up to 70 schools in Paris will be forced to close, with more than half of all primary school teachers in the capital set to join the strike. Other towns and cities have also warned parents of expected closures - though younger children should still be able to attend school, as a law introduced in August 2008 means maternelle and primaire pupils cannot be turned away on a normal school day.

Europe 1 reports that many schools that expect to stay open have advised parents to provide a packed lunch for their children, as some canteens will be closed.

Hospitals

As reported, routine services, including some operations, at hospitals may be delayed or cancelled as medical staff strike in protest at working conditions and budgetary cuts, as well as the pay freeze and the re-introduction of unpaid leave in case of sickness.

GPs, pharmacists and dentists have been invited to join the walkout.

Futher disruption

Police and court officials have also been urged to show their support for the protests, while the strike call includes staff at companies that were once part of France's public sector, including the La Poste and telecoms operator Orange, along with staff at employment offices, libraries - even gyms.