Euro 2016 May Be Disrupted By Strike Action In France

 

The chances of nationwide strike action bringing France to a standstill during Euro 2016 have increased as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and workers downed tools across the country.

Workers at oil refineries, nuclear power plants and railways went on strike on Thursday afternoon. The country's biggest union, the CGT, continues to increase pressure on the government to abandon controversial labour law reforms. In recent weeks, more than 1,300 arrests have been made, and more than 350 police and protesters have been hurt as protest have turned violent.

The head of the CGT union, Philippe Martinez, asked if his union was willing to disrupt Euro 2016, said “The government has the time to say 'let's stop the clock' and everything will be ok” Jean-Claude Mailly, leader of the smaller Workers' Force union that is also protesting, said: “In football speak, it's time the Prime Minister took the red card back”