French trade unions are striking causing disruption to public transport and air travel with their pickets.
The Metro service in France is running at about 50 per cent, barely any buses in Marseilles are operational and this morning. And power output was cut by eight per cent nationally due to striking electricity workers.
The strikers oppose government economic policies, especially plans to privatise state firms, and claim that low pay is damaging their purchasing power.
The strike is seen as a the first real test of prime minister Dominique de Villepin's reform plan four months into his tenure.
Any disruption to road transport is expected to be short-lived as the strike is due to finish at 9pm this evening.
