A strike by French rail workers who oppose the privatisation of the state SNCF rail company is causing chaos for commuters today.
One in three trains were running to and from most Paris stations as trade unions representing rail workers called for an open-ended strike over plans to privatise France's national railways.
Four trade unions started the strike at 8pm yesterday, despite a letter from the transport minister assuring them there were no plans to sell SNCF or to close some railway lines. The unions fear job losses if SNCF is privatised.
The strike is indefinite, and can be extended by the unions, but is due to last at least 24 hours. SNCF chief Louis Gallois says the company will lose about €20 million a day during the strike.
SNCF said it expected only 40 per cent of high-speed TGV trains to run and just a quarter of regional train services. The international Eurostar and Thalys services would be largely unaffected, the company said.
The unions were due to meet later today to decide whether to extend the protest. Conservative politicians said the strike was partly a show of strength by union leaders who soon face leadership elections.
Strikes are also expected on Paris's subway and on trains to the suburbs outside the capital tomorrow.
France is pursuing a privatisation programme to help shore up its public finances, and yesterday partly privatised electricity group EDF.