France Hit By Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reforms

 

Reuters: French workers strike nationwide, saying 'non' to Macron's pension reform 

PARIS (Reuters) -French workers went on strike and joined marches across the country on Thursday, halting trains and cutting electricity production in protest against government plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 64. 

The stoppages are a major test for President Emmanuel Macron, who said on Thursday that his pension reform plan, which opinion polls show is hugely unpopular, was "just and responsible" and had to be carried out. Protesters disagreed. 

"It's salaries and pensions that must be increased, not the retirement age," read one large banner carried by workers that opened the protest march in Tours, in western France.

"I'll have to prepare my walking frame if the reform goes through," said Isabelle, 53, a social worker, saying her job was too tough to add two more years.  

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WNU Editor: French President Macron is undeterred .... Macron vows to proceed with pension reform, despite protests (AP). 

France Hit By Nationwide Strike Over Pension Reforms 

Live: More than 1 million protest across France against Macron’s pension reform -- France 24  

France strikes bid to halt Macron's rise in retirement age -- BBC  

Striking French workers lead mass protests against plans to raise retirement age -- CNN

France hit by strikes over plan to raise retirement age to 64 -- The Guardian  

France: National pension protests to test Macron presidency -- DW  

France contends with widespread strikes as unions take to streets against pension reform -- CNBC  

France hit by nationwide strike as unions fight Emmanuel Macron's retirement age reforms -- ABC News Australia  

France Grinds To Halt Over Nationwide Pension Strikes -- Zero Hedge 

‘I can’t take any more’: Working-class French lament Macron’s push to raise retirement age -- France 24  

Will strikes force Macron to back down over French pension reforms? -- France 24