French rail unions are launching a three-month rolling strike at state rail operator SNCF. (Photo: AFP/Jean-Sebastien Evrard) Staff at state rail operator SNCF will walk off the job from 1700 GMT (1am Singapore time), kicking off stoppages on two out of every five days which unions warn will cause major disruption for France's 4.5 million train passengers. The real action begins on what the press has dubbed "black Tuesday", with only one high-speed TGV train out of eight set to operate and one regional train out of five in the strike against a major overhaul of the debt-ridden SNCF. Three out of four Eurostar trains to London and Brussels will run and the Thalys train towards Belgium and the Netherlands will operate almost as normal, but there will be none at all towards Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Rubbish collectors, some staff in the energy sector and Air France employees will also strike Tuesday in the biggest wave of industrial unrest since Macron's election last May. The rail … [Read more...] about France braces for mass rail strikes
France
Party chief’s activities in France and Cuba
The visits helped tighten the Vietnam-France strategic partnership and the Vietnam-Cuba comradeship and brotherhood. PANO would like to introduce some photos of the Party General Secretary’s activities in France and Cuba. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Élysée Palace Mayor of Choisy-le-Roi Didier Guillaume introduces to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong the square named “Paris Agreement.” Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and French friends Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the Vietnamese community in France Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meeting with France’s leading enterprises Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed at Antonio Maceo International Airport, in Santiago de Cuba, by representatives from the Vietnamese community in Cuba Children of … [Read more...] about Party chief’s activities in France and Cuba
New momentum for sci-tech cooperation with France, Cuba
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) welcomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the Élysée Palace (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The recent visits to France and Cuba by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong created new momentum to promote cooperation in science and technology. Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, who accompanied the Party chief during the trips, made the statement in an interview with reporters from Vietnam News Agency. He said Vietnam and France signed 12 agreements, including in research, training and technological transfer in outer space cooperation. The ministerial level talks between Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and France’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation was an important activity during the Party chief’s visit to France from March 25-27 as the two … [Read more...] about New momentum for sci-tech cooperation with France, Cuba
Party chief’s visits expand economic ties with Cuba, France
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s tour to Cuba and France was a success, creating a new impetus to grow Vietnam’s ties with the two countries, especially in economy, according to an official. Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, a member of the Party leader’s entourage, said the Vietnam-France relationship is growing in all fields, and bilateral cooperation potential remains high. Vietnam wants France to become a gateway for the country to access the EU, and Vietnam will help link France with the ASEAN. While France is a large economic hub of Europe thanks to its modern infrastructure, science and technology as well as education and training, Vietnam is an attractive market with 90 million people and increasing income and high economic growth, noted the minister. He said that new areas the two sides can … [Read more...] about Party chief’s visits expand economic ties with Cuba, France
Air France unions announce new two day strike
Air France unions representing both flight crews and ground staff announced on Sunday (Apr 1) a new two-day strike for Apr 10 and 11, the latest move in its pay dispute with the French flag carrier since February. Pilots, cabin crew and ground staff joined the strike at Air France to push for a 6.0 per cent rise in salaries. (AFP/ERIC PIERMONT) The new dates are in addition to plans to strike on Tuesday and Saturday, in the same week that workers of the French rail operator SNCF also begin a series of strike days. The staff of Air France have already carried out a work stoppage on three dates, Feb 22 and Mar 23 and 30. In a statement on Sunday, the three pilot unions slammed the "obstinate refusal" of the airline's management "to take into consideration the least of their demands." The pilots have been joined by unions representing flight attendants and ground personnel, which later issued a joint statement saying Air France "does not take seriously the determination of … [Read more...] about Air France unions announce new two day strike