France’s striking rail unions face a test of their popular support after Emmanuel Macron’s bill to reform the country’s debt-ridden state rail operator sailed through parliament and a poll showed a majority of the public backed his plans. “Unions are free to do as they see fit, but a majority of the French want this reform,” the labour minister, Muriel Pénicaud, told French television. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Striking French railway workers hold banners and placards as they gather in front of Matabiau station in Toulouse on 17 April 2018. As anger among rail passengers mounted, a survey published on Wednesday by pollster Ifop found 61% of the public wanted the government to push ahead and implement its planned reforms. Around 32% of rail workers walked out for Wednesday’s strike, compared with 48% on the campaign’s first day two weeks ago.

Source: The Guardian April 18, 2018 12:32 UTC