Flights, Trains Cancelled as French Workers Strike

Paris — Massive French strikes over pension reforms on Thursday led to cancelled flights, empty train stations, widespread protests and interruptions in the electrical supply.

French President Emmanuel Macron wants to gradually raise the regular retirement age from 62 to 64. In addition, the number of years required to pay into the system for full pension is to increase more quickly. Some privileges for certain occupational groups are to be abolished.

Trade unions criticized the plan as brutal and unfair and called for the strikes. Massive criticism also comes from the French left and the right-wing nationalists.

Flights were cancelled at Paris' airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation asked airlines to cancel one out of five flights at Paris-Orly airport on the day of the strike. Train services were also severely restricted.

Demonstrations gathered in Nice, Marseille and Toulouse on Thursday. Media showed pictures of empty train platforms in Paris and reported protest actions at high schools.

Reportedly, between 70 and 100% of the workforce at TotalEnergies refineries took part in the strike. Electricity production was also reportedly shut down.

The current official retirement age is 62, but it usually starts later because on average workers have not paid long enough into the system to get full benefits.

Full pension entitlement applies at the age of 67, regardless of the length of time paid in. The government does not want to change this.

It wants to increase the minimum monthly pension to about €1,200 ($1,300). For people who started working particularly early or for those whose working conditions are exceptionally hard, retirement is to be earlier.

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