Article authors:
Reuters
Caroline Pailliez and Antony Paone
Paris — French railroad workers strike on Wednesday, a few days before the start of summer vacation and as high inflation eats up salaries, the rest of the economy Uneasy in the field.
In three of the four major unions of the SNCF, French state railroad operators participated in the strike, canceling nearly one-third of intercity and regional rail services. Commuter trains to and from Paris were also affected.
"We are confident that there is demand and we will respect it, but at the same time, people's time and plans should be respected," said Reza, an American traveler whose train was canceled.・ Terraksani said.
Railroad strikes are dissatisfied with high living costs following industrial activity in the energy sector and strikes by airport workers at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, one of the country's leading air hubs. The dissatisfied worker who has is angry. ,
Tensioned social conditions for President Emmanuel Macron, who lost an absolute majority in Congress last month after voters punished him for not listening to daily complaints. Is the issue.
France's inflation rate rose to a record high of 6.5% in June due to the sharp rise in food and energy prices.
The Macron government will issue a law this week aimed at bringing about mitigation of inflation.
Railroad unions are demanding that salaries be adjusted to match inflation and higher wages, as well as higher bonuses to compensate for higher prices.
"Railway workers accept many sacrifices. They know that when they are hired, they have to work on weekends or at night, but the compensation is not enough. "The Sud-Rail union Bruno Poncet told Reuters.
Wednesday's strike is scheduled for the last day. The union said they were discussing their next move if their demands were not met.
(Report by Caroline Palliez, Antony Paone, Written by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Edited by Richard Lough, Alexandra Hudson)
