Thousands of French train drivers, teachers, and air traffic controllers are planning to go on strike today in a major protest against French President Emmanuel Macron's reform plans.
The protests are the latest in a series against Macron's plan to review, among other things, the state-owned railway and other parts of the public sector.
Trade unions in France are already known for making governments back down, but Macron and his ministers have promised not to waver, despite the fact that it looks like it could lead to prolonged disruptions.
”There will be many people participating. If we do nothing, the government will not back down,” says Philippe Martinez, leader of the CGT union.
The date of 22 March was deliberately chosen to draw parallels with the nationwide protests of 22 March 1968, which led to the country's largest ever strike and infamous clashes between police and students in Paris in May of the same year.
Source: TT
