Rail strike in France scrambles traffic
Tourists shelve plans as sides remain firm
PARIS — Tourists abandoned travel plans and French commuters squeezed into scarce trains Wednesday as one of the world’s most-traveled rail networks endured a second consecutive day of strike action.
Rail unions and French President Emmanuel Macron’s government are holding firm so far in a battle over a plan to abolish a benefits system that allows train drivers and others jobs for life.
Macron says that no longer makes financial sense, and the sector needs reform to stay globally competitive — part of his larger plan to change the way the French economy works. It’s arguably his biggest challenge since he took the presidency last year.
The SNCF rail authority said 86 percent of trains were canceled nationwide Wednesday, though the number of striking workers fell slightly compared with Tuesday’s strike kickoff day. Strike action is being planned for the coming three months.
Traffic is expected to resume Thursday, though with some knockon delays, with the next strikes scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
The walkouts are also hitting international traffic: Almost no trains operated Wednesday between France and Italy, Spain or Switzerland while about a dozen Eurostar trains to and from Britain have been canceled. Traffic to Belgium and Germany also dipped.
British accountant Elaine Clark has been dreaming for years of visiting the south of France and was scheduled to visit Cannes this week for the first time. But the trip was cancelled Wednesday, the day before she was set to leave.
A strike is scheduled for the return date Monday, and the travel agency couldn’t be sure her group of 40 travelers will be able to get home.