January 28, 2009

Source: The Journal of Commerce

France is facing severe disruption of freight traffic Thursday with rail and airport workers set to join a one-day general strike.

The stoppage, due to start at 8 p.m. local time, is expected to halt most rail freight operations, including container services to and from Le Havre and Marseilles, France's top box hubs, as well as cross-border cargo trains to neighboring countries.

The French aviation authority DGAC has asked airlines to reduce flights to airports, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Europe's second-largest cargo hub. Air France-KLM has said it plans to operate its long-haul services but will cancel between 10 and 30 percent of short- and medium-haul flights.

Up to 3 million workers, from teachers to auto workers, are expected to join the strike, called by eight leading labor unions to demand tougher government measures to counter rising unemployment and falling living standards.

The CGT union, which represents most port workers, has warned of further stoppages if the government does not respond to its demands.

German rail workers also will strike for 24 hours as of midnight following an impasse in contract negotiations with state railway Deutsche Bahn.