Two more days of pensions protests

UNIONS have called two more days of action, as the fight against the government's pension reforms continues.

There will be a national industry-wide strike next Thursday, October 28, followed by a day of demonstrations around France on Saturday, November 6.

Six of the major trade unions met yesterday to discuss their next move and issued a joint statement calling for workers to keep up the pressure.

The government had hoped that the Toussaint half-term holidays, which get under way this evening, would provide a break from the unrest that has hit France in recent weeks.

Thursday saw another day of strikes and demonstrations. Public transport remains disrupted this weekend.

Eight out of 10 TGVs via Paris are running and six out of 10 elsewhere. Half of Corail train services have been cancelled today.

To check on your journey, call 08 05 90 36 35 or see www.infolignes.com and www.gares-en-mouvement.com

Travel conditions on the roads will be difficult this weekend. Traffic monitor Bison Futé is expecting up to 350km of tailbacks, and thousands of petrol stations remain without fuel.