The Hamilton Spectator

Pension strikes likely to spur transport woes

Government’s plan to raise retirement age at issue

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France’s national rail operator is recommendi­ng that passengers stay home Tuesday to avoid strikes over pensions that are expected to cause major transport woes but largely spare high-speed links to Britain, Belgium and the Netherland­s.

Labour unions that mobilized massive street protests in an initial salvo of nationwide strikes earlier this month are hoping for similar success Tuesday to maintain pressure on government plans to raise France’s retirement age.

Positions are hardening on both sides as lawmakers begin debating the planned change. France’s prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, insisted this weekend that her government’s intention to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is “no longer negotiable.” Opponents in Parliament and labour leaders are determined to prove her wrong.

Rail operator SNCF warned major network disruption­s were expected from Monday night to Wednesday morning, recommendi­ng passengers cancel or postpone trips and work remotely if possible.

Rail services in the Paris region and regional trains across the country are expected to be severely affected, setting up a potential nightmare day for commuters.

Severe disruption­s also are expected on France’s flagship network of high-speed trains serving cities and major towns, including the Lyria service that links France and Switzerlan­d, the SNCF said.

But it said high-speed Eurostar links with Britain and the Thalys services between France, Belgium and the Netherland­s should run largely as normal.

Raising the pension age is one part of a broad bill that is the flagship measure of President Emmanuel Macron’s second term. The bill is meeting widespread popular resistance — more than 1 million people marched in protests against it earlier this month.

Lawmaker Manuel Bompard, whose France Unbowed party is leading the parliament­ary push against Macron’s plans, called for “the biggest possible” turnout Tuesday in strikes and protests.

The government says its proposals are necessary to keep the pension system solvent as France’s life expectancy has grown and birth rates have declined.

 ?? LEWIS JOLY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Protesters demonstrat­e against pension changes on Thursday. France's national rail operator is recommendi­ng passengers work from home if possible Tuesday amid strikes that are expected to cause major delays.
LEWIS JOLY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Protesters demonstrat­e against pension changes on Thursday. France's national rail operator is recommendi­ng passengers work from home if possible Tuesday amid strikes that are expected to cause major delays.

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