Pension reform: the main sectors where the strike continues

The mobilization against pension reform continues this Thursday. The transport and energy sectors, with their gas and electricity supplies, are particularly concerned about a day marked by a vote on a highly controversial project by Republic President Emmanuel Macron. Update on mobilization by sector.

Transport: planes and trains disrupted, the best on RATP

Traffic on the SNCF is improving, but according to management’s forecast it is still disrupted with 2 out of 3 TGVs and difficulties in Île de France. RATP has scheduled normal traffic for the metro, buses and trams, but RER lines A and B are still disrupted.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has asked airlines to cancel 20% of their flights at Paris-Orly airport, as they did the day before, due to the air traffic controllers’ strike. “Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and delays are nevertheless to be expected,” the DGAC said in a statement.

“Ultimatum” in gas

CGT Energie on Wednesday issued an “ultimatum” to Storengy, a subsidiary of Engie, to implement a large and rare depressurization of the gas networks or the strikers will take care of it. This may deprive power plants and some industrial consumers of gas.

Subsequently, the CGT indicated that this request was subject to termination of inadmissibility by management. On Thursday morning, the personnel of the eleven gas storage facilities of Storenzhi had to decide on the conditions for the continuation of the movement. “Some group facilities are indeed experiencing operational disruptions, which at this stage does not affect the security of supply,” Angie said on Wednesday evening.

Targeted blackout

“We will continue to put pressure on those who will have to vote for this law,” CGT Energy federal secretary Fabrice Coudour told Agence France Press (AFP), referring to cuts aimed at the political class. The house in the Vendée of LR Senators head Bruno Retaio was the target of one of those targeted cuts on Wednesday.

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, there was a power outage in Var. They especially affected the presidential residence Fort Bregancon. “The cuts are multiplying because the government is not responding, and this is pushing for an escalation of action. The government must be held accountable,” said Fabrice Coudour.

In Brittany, the union decided to “take over the production of the tidal power plant” (which generates electricity from the tides) of the La Rance (Isle-et-Villaine) dam.

Garbage cans pile up in Paris

According to the Paris City Hall, on Wednesday morning the sidewalks of the capital were littered with 7,600 tons of garbage. This accumulation increases over time. Mayor Anne Hidalgo refused to requisition the garbage collectors to limit the impact of their strike, leaving the ball in the hands of the government. On Wednesday evening, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez informed the mayor of Paris of his decision to requisition police officers to evacuate the city’s trash cans.

Difficult river navigation

River navigation on the Rhine has been slowed down by the relocation of CGT employees to the Ottmarsheim lock, near Mulhouse, said Philippe Charpentier, a spokesman for EDF Hydro Est. The strikers blocked one of the two sluices that allowed the passage of ships. “We also have the ability to intervene at night in the power grid of the power plant” adjacent to the castle, he added, saying he was waiting for “instructions” depending on the situation in the National Assembly.