French nuclear workers join strike over labour reforms

Strike action by unions at French oil refineries, nuclear power stations, ports and transport networks has led to a series of disruptions across the country.

The strikes and protests are against a labour bill that extends the working week and makes layoffs easier.

Nuclear power station workers in France yesterday voted to join the gathering protests against labour law changes that have forced the country to tap into its strategic fuel reserves due to refinery blockades.

After the CGT union workers joined the rolling nationwide strike, French nuclear power capacity was cut by at least four gigawatts (GW) on Thursday, according to the website of RTE, a grid operator.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls has again insisted that labour reforms at the heart of the dispute would not be withdrawn, but suggested they could be "modified".

Striking workers have blockaded motorways and bridges, as well as a nuclear submarine base in Normandy.

Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter rail services.

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

At least nine nuclear reactors reported unplanned outages after the workers' vote on Wednesday evening, according to RTE's website.

Pressure is rising on the French government as queues at petrol stations lengthen by the day and with football fans due to flood into the country in two weeks for the Euro 2016 championships.