The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The strike against pension reforms championed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colonialism-was-a-grave-mistake-french-pm-emmanuel-macron-269555">President Emmanuel Macron</a> began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year.

Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn.

The longest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-protests-against-pension-reform-continue-scuffle-breaks-out-at-gare-de-lyon-station-269785">transport strike</a> in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987.

"It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot.

He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word.

"The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez.&nbsp;

No end in sight&nbsp;

The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-makes-for-not-so-merry-christmas-travel-in-france-269597">post-Christmas bargains</a> or preparing for the New Year.

There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7.

Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running.

Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses -&nbsp;which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service -&nbsp;early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said.

The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system.

The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors -&nbsp;including the railways - lose early retirement benefits.&nbsp;

The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system.

But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s. The strike against pension reforms championed by President Emmanuel Macron began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year. Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn. The longest transport strike in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987. "It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot. He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word. "The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez. No end in sight The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking post-Christmas bargains or preparing for the New Year. There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7. Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running. Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses - which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service - early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said. The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system. The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors - including the railways - lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system. But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

Union boss defiant on France's longest strike in decades

French commuters gritted their teeth on the ninth day of a crippling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/france-public-sector-strike-where-is-the-unrest-being-felt-the-hardest-266849">public transport strike</a> Friday, pinning their hopes for an end to the daily misery on the government's offer of fresh negotiations with unions over a contested pensions overhaul.

Many travellers are reconsidering their holiday travel plans as unions stood united in their opposition to the government's plans to fuse the country's 42 pension schemes into a single, points-based system.

"It is very complicated," 23-year-old childcarer Elsa told AFP at Paris' Gare de Lyon station, complaining of the overcrowded trains. Every day since the strike started, she has had to get up early to not miss her train into town, then walk a long way to work.

"If this (the strike) goes on, I will have to keep doing this. It is exhausting, but I have no choice. Not all work can be done from home."

The overhaul unveiled by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-prime-minister-defies-unions-with-pension-overhaul-267718">Prime Minister Edouard Philippe</a> this week angered even the moderate CFDT union by proposing a reduced payout for people who retire at the legal age of 62 instead of a so-called "pivot age" of 64 -&nbsp;a "red line" for unions.

They called for new mass demonstrations for Tuesday, the third since the action started on December 5 in the biggest show of strength in years by France's notoriously militant unions, which have vowed to continue fighting through the holidays if necessary.

Philippe said Thursday that he would call union leaders to "quickly resume the dialogue" and proposed talks "as soon as possible next week."

"My door is open and my hand outstretched," Philippe said on Twitter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-emmanuel-macron-to-hold-meeting-on-pensions-as-strike-bites-266909">President Emmanuel Macron</a>, who has spoken little about a centrepiece of his far-ranging reform drive for France, told reporters in Brussels Thursday that "now is the time for consultations."

But Laurent Brun of the hard-line CGT union, the largest among public-sector workers including those at rail operator SNCF, has already warned that "There won't be any Christmas truce" unless the government drops the plan entirely.

The reform will scrap early retirement and other benefits for mainly public-sector workers -&nbsp;particularly those at state rail operator SNCF and the Paris public transport group RATP.

A poll released Thursday by the Elabe institute found France evenly divided on Philippe's plan, with 50 percent for and 49 percent against.

But 54 percent rejected the mooted "pivot age" of 64 for a full pension, it found, and 54 percent supported the protest even as patience wore thin on Paris' overfull public transport lines and in the jam-packed streets where pedestrians, cars, motorcycles, bikes and scooters jostled for space.

In Paris, eight of the 16 metro lines were shut down completely Friday and six were offering interrupted service, according to the RATP.

The city's bus service was again severely disrupted, and the number of trains connecting Paris to its suburbs was slashed, as was the national train service.

Staff at four of France's eight oil refineries were on strike, affecting output and raising fears of shortages down the line.

The strike has affected international travel and the bottom lines of hotels, restaurants and shops, mainly in Paris, where theatre and opera performances have been cancelled, and museums have had to close some exhibits.

On Thursday, several thousand people marched in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and other cities, as strikers blocked major ports.

A week earlier, some 800,000 people hit the streets across France to kick off the pension reform mass resistance, followed by some 339,000 on Tuesday.

Unions are hoping for a repeat of 1995, when weeks of rail strikes forced the government of then-president Jacques Chirac to withdraw a pension reform.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-emmanuel-macron-to-hold-meeting-on-pensions-as-strike-bites-266909">Macron's government</a> insists the changes will make for a fairer system and help erase pension system deficits forecast to reach as much as 17 billion euros ($19 billion) by 2025.

The average French person retires at just over 60, years earlier than most in Europe or other rich OECD countries.

French commuters gritted their teeth on the ninth day of a crippling public transport strike Friday, pinning their hopes for an end to the daily misery on the government's offer of fresh negotiations with unions over a contested pensions overhaul.

French commuters gritted their teeth on the ninth day of a crippling public transport strike Friday, pinning their hopes for an end to the daily misery on the government's offer of fresh negotiations with unions over a contested pensions overhaul. Many travellers are reconsidering their holiday travel plans as unions stood united in their opposition to the government's plans to fuse the country's 42 pension schemes into a single, points-based system. "It is very complicated," 23-year-old childcarer Elsa told AFP at Paris' Gare de Lyon station, complaining of the overcrowded trains. Every day since the strike started, she has had to get up early to not miss her train into town, then walk a long way to work. "If this (the strike) goes on, I will have to keep doing this. It is exhausting, but I have no choice. Not all work can be done from home." The overhaul unveiled by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe this week angered even the moderate CFDT union by proposing a reduced payout for people who retire at the legal age of 62 instead of a so-called "pivot age" of 64 - a "red line" for unions. They called for new mass demonstrations for Tuesday, the third since the action started on December 5 in the biggest show of strength in years by France's notoriously militant unions, which have vowed to continue fighting through the holidays if necessary. Philippe said Thursday that he would call union leaders to "quickly resume the dialogue" and proposed talks "as soon as possible next week." "My door is open and my hand outstretched," Philippe said on Twitter. President Emmanuel Macron, who has spoken little about a centrepiece of his far-ranging reform drive for France, told reporters in Brussels Thursday that "now is the time for consultations." But Laurent Brun of the hard-line CGT union, the largest among public-sector workers including those at rail operator SNCF, has already warned that "There won't be any Christmas truce" unless the government drops the plan entirely. The reform will scrap early retirement and other benefits for mainly public-sector workers - particularly those at state rail operator SNCF and the Paris public transport group RATP. A poll released Thursday by the Elabe institute found France evenly divided on Philippe's plan, with 50 percent for and 49 percent against. But 54 percent rejected the mooted "pivot age" of 64 for a full pension, it found, and 54 percent supported the protest even as patience wore thin on Paris' overfull public transport lines and in the jam-packed streets where pedestrians, cars, motorcycles, bikes and scooters jostled for space. In Paris, eight of the 16 metro lines were shut down completely Friday and six were offering interrupted service, according to the RATP. The city's bus service was again severely disrupted, and the number of trains connecting Paris to its suburbs was slashed, as was the national train service. Staff at four of France's eight oil refineries were on strike, affecting output and raising fears of shortages down the line. The strike has affected international travel and the bottom lines of hotels, restaurants and shops, mainly in Paris, where theatre and opera performances have been cancelled, and museums have had to close some exhibits. On Thursday, several thousand people marched in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and other cities, as strikers blocked major ports. A week earlier, some 800,000 people hit the streets across France to kick off the pension reform mass resistance, followed by some 339,000 on Tuesday. Unions are hoping for a repeat of 1995, when weeks of rail strikes forced the government of then-president Jacques Chirac to withdraw a pension reform. Macron's government insists the changes will make for a fairer system and help erase pension system deficits forecast to reach as much as 17 billion euros ($19 billion) by 2025. The average French person retires at just over 60, years earlier than most in Europe or other rich OECD countries.

Christmas plans threatened as French strike drags on

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-yellow-vest-protesters-look-to-revive-movement-248327">suburban lines coming</a> to a virtual standstill.

"Ten of the city's 16 metro lines were shut down completely, while service on most others was extremely disrupted, Paris RATP transit operator told AFP.

French metro workers say &nbsp;President Emmanuel Macron's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-reviews-police-methods-after-yellow-vest-protests-228069">universal pension system</a> works against them as it takes away their right for early retirement which was agreed upon decades ago as a compensation for working long hours.

During his election campaign, Macron had pledged to relook the pension plans and had sought reforms. The plan seeks to merge forty-two different pension systems into a single-point based system.

The current plan ensures workers would now retire at age 62 with reduced pension with full pension available from 64.

Lawyers, airline pilots, stewards and medical workers have also decided to join the protest, calling for a separate strike on Monday.

As a result of the strike, people were left stranded with several looking for alternate avenues to move around the city. &nbsp;French officials said there were 235km of traffic jams with media reports of crammed platforms on metro lines.

The strikes come close on the heels of the "yellow vest" protests last month when anti-government protesters calling for social justice sought the ouster of President Emmanuel Macron.

Paris saw an upsurge of violence as thousands of protesters took to the streets to clash with police as authorities repeatedly used tear gas shells to quell the violence. The protests spread to other cities Marseille, Rouen, Lille, Strasbourg, Dijon, Bordeaux and Toulouse as police arrested several protesters amid large scale violence.

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main suburban lines coming to a virtual standstill.

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main suburban lines coming to a virtual standstill. "Ten of the city's 16 metro lines were shut down completely, while service on most others was extremely disrupted, Paris RATP transit operator told AFP. French metro workers say President Emmanuel Macron's universal pension system works against them as it takes away their right for early retirement which was agreed upon decades ago as a compensation for working long hours. During his election campaign, Macron had pledged to relook the pension plans and had sought reforms. The plan seeks to merge forty-two different pension systems into a single-point based system. The current plan ensures workers would now retire at age 62 with reduced pension with full pension available from 64. Lawyers, airline pilots, stewards and medical workers have also decided to join the protest, calling for a separate strike on Monday. As a result of the strike, people were left stranded with several looking for alternate avenues to move around the city. French officials said there were 235km of traffic jams with media reports of crammed platforms on metro lines. The strikes come close on the heels of the "yellow vest" protests last month when anti-government protesters calling for social justice sought the ouster of President Emmanuel Macron. Paris saw an upsurge of violence as thousands of protesters took to the streets to clash with police as authorities repeatedly used tear gas shells to quell the violence. The protests spread to other cities Marseille, Rouen, Lille, Strasbourg, Dijon, Bordeaux and Toulouse as police arrested several protesters amid large scale violence.

Paris faces traffic chaos as metro workers strike over Macron's pension reform