French Labour Dispute: Energy Supplies Hit By Strike Action

Energy Supplies Hit By Strike Action

France is braced for further disruption to its energy supplies as workers at oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport go on strike.

But in a sign of the growing pressure on the government, PM Manuel Valls said the labour reforms at the heart of the dispute could be “modified”.

Motorists have been panic buying fuel, some petrol stations struggled to get supplies.

France is due to host the Euro 2016 championships in two weeks time.

Union disruption was expected to take place at:

• Sixteen of France’s 19 nuclear power stations
• Six of France’s eight oil refineries, already hit by strikes and barricades
• The ports of Marseille and Le Havre among others

Orly airport in Paris has cut flights by 15% and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter services.

The unions have also called for rallies in most major cities.

CGT union member at nuclear power plants voted on Wednesday to join the strike.

Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country’s electricity. Grid operator RTE said nuclear power capacity was being cut by at least four gigawatts – equivalent to 6% of the country’s total production capacity – on Thursday, Reuters news agency reports.

Meanwhile, the French Union of Petroleum Industries says a third of France’s 12,000 petrol stations are running dry.

It said the government had begun using its strategic fuel reserves, which analysts say will last around four months.

Transport Minister Alain Vidalies has said 40% of petrol stations around Paris are struggling to get fuel.

President Francois Hollande told ministers on Wednesday that “everything will be done to ensure the French people and the economy is supplied”.

As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Valls said that although the new labour laws would not be withdrawn, “there may still be changes, improvements”.

There has been no reaction from the CGT union, which has led the way with the action.

It was enraged by the government’s decision to use a constitutional device allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval.

The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment.

As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Valls said that although the new labour laws would not be withdrawn, “there may still be changes, improvements”.

There has been no reaction from the CGT union, which has led the way with the action.

It was enraged by the government’s decision to use a constitutional device allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval.

The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment.

French labour reform bill – main points

• The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours
• Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay
• The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France. It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs in case of a downturn
• Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated

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