Strike
Strike - Strike action in France shows little sign of weakening according to French media reports. In the aftermath of the governments announcements on the pension reform, the strike has largely been renewed, in transport the CGT-Cheminots, the first SNCF union, called for "a strengthening of the strike" and Unsa, the first union at the RATP, invited for its part to "widen" the movement and install it "over time ". Even the CFDT, which supported the reform at first, felt that the "red line" had been "crossed" with the decision to introduce a pivotal retirement age of 64.
Blockages in Le Havre have seen the port and industrial area of the city completely blocked by protesters this morning.
Today is the eigth day of consecutive strike action which saw traffic jams as early as 6.30am in and around the French capital. With reports of tail backs of up to 410km by 8am.
Meanwhile the French Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer has promised "a very significant pay increase for teachers" this morning while speaking on Franceinfo.