Employees in almost all sectors of the French economy have started indefinite strikes since Tuesday to protest against the government’s reform, which consists of raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. More than 270 demonstrations are already planned in various regions of the country.
March 7 has been declared Black Tuesday by the country’s authorities as cross-industry and nationwide strikes begin on the day to force the government to back off raising the retirement age.
The main unions, including the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and the French Democratic Confederation of Workers (CFDT), are calling for action to the extent possible to bring the French economy to a halt unless the government withdraws the reform bill.
Some energy sector workers went on strike as early as Friday, when workers at French nuclear power plants began striking. The Flamanville nuclear power plant, the Paluel nuclear power plant and the Saint Alban nuclear power plant have started to produce 1000 MW/h less electricity, which is equivalent to the capacity of a nuclear unit. The energy company EDF also confirmed the decline in productivity at the Trikasten and Kattenom nuclear power plants.
