French mass strikes go on despite talks

PARIS－France's government and unions appeared still far apart after talks resumed on Tuesday over proposed pension reforms that have triggered record-setting strikes, hobbling the country's train network and spreading to oil refineries.

Workers at Exxon Mobil France's Port Jerome and Fos refineries began a four-day strike on Tuesday, the hardline CGT union said, aiming to cause shortages at petrol stations.

An Exxon spokeswoman confirmed that the 140,000 barrels-per-day Fos-sur-Mer plant, which accounts for about 10 percent of French refinery output, was blocked. But the 240,000 barrels-per-day Port Jerome refinery was operating normally, she said.

Emmanuel Lepine, representing chemical industry employees at the CGT union, said workers were striking at seven of eight French refineries.

Workers are demanding "the withdrawal of this reform that no one wants", Lepine said.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the country was not at risk of fuel shortages and that police will ensure that oil depots are not blockaded.

"People have the right to strike, but they do not have the right to block (refineries)," he said on RTL radio, referring to action by workers to obstruct factory gates.

Philippe struck a determined tone sticking to the government's tight timetable for getting its pension proposal through the Parliament before the summer recess.

He said the pension reform bill will be presented to the cabinet on Jan 24 and for parliamentary debate from Feb 17.

"It's a good meeting," he said, adding that further discussions with unions would drill down into the minutiae of the government's plans.

The French Environment Ministry said all refineries continued to operate, but five out of seven were temporarily having difficulty distributing their products.

It said it expected no problems with petrol stations, supplies at which are guaranteed by a separate network of about 200 depots.

On Tuesday, only three of these depots reported difficulties while others were operating normally, the ministry said, adding that France has stocks corresponding to more than three months of fuel consumption.

The protracted battle over pension reform is proving to be one of the toughest domestic tests for centrist President Emmanuel Macron since his 2017 election on a platform of promises to modernize the French economy.

Nationwide strikes and demonstrations have shut schools and closed transport services, while demonstrations have led to clashes with the police.

Tuesday marked the 34th day of disruptive train strikes and walkouts in the Paris Metro. Unions are planning a fourth day of nationwide demonstrations on Thursday.