French trade unions kicked off a new wave of strikes against pension reform today, testing the resolve of President Nicolas Sarkozy's government as the unpopular bill edges closer to becoming law.
Rail services, flights and sea ports ran below capacity as the unions kept up their battle against Mr Sarkozy's reform, intended to make people work longer for their pensions, including raising the minimum retirement age to 62 from 60.
Walkouts reduced flights from Paris's main airports by as much as 50 per cent. One in three high-speed TGV trains were running, though international trains operated more frequently.
The Paris metro ran limited services and the Eiffel Tower was closed in the afternoon for lack of staff.
Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel 250 flights in all – 12 in and out of Irish airports – while Aer Lingus said it had cancelled two flights between Dublin and Charles de Gaulle but was planning to operate other services as normal.
Air France said at least two flights from Paris to Dublin would be cancelled, while intercity trains, the Paris metro, schools and postal services are also expected to be disrupted.
The airlines advised passengers to check their websites for updated information on travel disruption.
Fine Gael's transport spokesman Simon Coveney said today his party is to bring draft legislation before the Oireachtas that would prevent Irish air traffic controllers from striking in the future. "I believe air traffic controllers provide an essential economic service and should not be allowed go on strike. Instead there should be credible alternatives to industrial action to resolve disputes in the workplace.
Mr Coveney said he will lobby the European Commission on introducing an EU-wide ban on strike action by air traffic controllers.
The French senate voted last night to raise the age at which workers can retire on full pensions to 67 from 65, after already voting on raising the retirement age.
Mr Sarkozy has already made small concessions in the reform, but has said he will not back down on the bill's key points.
The government wants the legislation passed by the end of October and is betting on the strike action waning, especially among those who lose pay when they walk out.
But union leaders are vowing to keep up the pressure with the fourth pension protest in just over a month.
Midway through the day of action the Interior Ministry said about 30 per cent more people were protesting than on October 2nd. According to unions, 2.9 million people took part in street protests on that day, although police put the number at 900,000.
Unions have called a further day of protest on October 16th and will meet again tomorrow to review their position.
In southern France, port strikes went into their 16th day as workers denounced the pension bill and changes to dock operations. Oil refineries slashed output, bringing the country closer to shortages of diesel and gasoline at the pumps.