Pension strikes cripple Paris

Paris commuters inched to work Monday through massive traffic jams as strikes against retirement plan changes halted trains and subways for a fifth straight day — with the prospect of a tougher day ahead.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s government prepares to present a redesign of the convoluted French pension system. Macron sees melding 42 different retirement plans into one as delivering a more equitable, financially sustainable system. Unions view the move as an attack on the French way of life even though Macron’s government is not expected to change the current retirement age of 62.

The national road authority reported more than 600 kilometers of traffic problems at morning rush hour around the Paris region, The Associated Press (AP) reported. 

Paris police girded for a huge pension protest march on Tuesday, similar to the one last Thursday when more than 800,000 people across France took part. Fearing possible violence, police warned they would mobilize significant resources immediately to stop violence. All restaurants and shops along the march route were ordered closed, police said.

Air France, the national carrier, said more than 25% of its domestic traffic would be grounded Tuesday by the strike. The French civil aviation authority had asked all airlines to cut back flights 20% at six airports, including Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille.

Only about a sixth of French trains were running Monday and international train lines also saw disruptions. Activists also blocked bus depots around Paris.

The Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will outline the government’s plan on Wednesday, which is expected to encourage people to work longer. 

Government ministers say the current system is unfair and financially unsustainable, while unions say the reform undercuts worker rights and will force people to work longer for less.