French nuclear power plant workers declare strikes
(VOVworld) - Workers at France’s nuclear power stations are due to join a strike over controversial labor reforms enacted by the French government.
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- Workers at France’s nuclear power stations are due to join a strike over controversial labor reforms enacted by the French government (Photo: Reuters) |
The General Confederation of Labor said staff at 16 of France's 19 nuclear plants have agreed to a one-day strike. French grid operator RTE's website showed nuclear power capacity has been cut by 4 gigawatts (GW), about 6% of total production capacity.
Nuclear power provides about 75% of France’s electricity. Workers at a major oil terminal in the port of Le Havre went on strike Thursday to block imports.
The strikes have spread to the railway sector where train drivers also staged a one-day strike Wednesday. The SNCF national rail authority said 25% of France’s high-speed TGV trains have been cancelled, and a similar number of regional and commuter trains have been affected.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls insists that the reforms will not be withdrawn but has suggested they could be modified.