Several government ministers have today strongly condemned industrial action by train controllers on French media. Minister of Transport Clement Beaune said that the strike "cannot be understood by the French". Minister for Ecological Transition Christophe Bechu said that the action "damages the right to strike" and "is a loser for everyone". Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire asked the SNCF to find a solution within "the next few hours". Government spokesperson Olivier Veran asked those taking industrial action to "hear the legitimate request" of French people to be able to join their family and called on the strikers to "give up". Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has asked the government to requisition those taking part in the industrial action, saying that the right to strike "is a constitutional right, but it cannot be done at the expense of the free movement of French people".
Industrial action by train controllers is still expected to disrupt train services over the Christmas weekend starting from tomorrow. On Saturday and Sunday, three out of five TGVs should run in the south-east and east of France and one out of two on northern and Atlantic routes. Two out of three Ouigo trains should operate, according to the SNCF.
A march has taken place to pay tribute to the victims of a fire in a suburb of Lyon last week. The "white march" took place this morning in the community of Vaulx-en-Velin. A minute's silence was observed as the march reached the burnt out apartment building in which ten people lost their lives.
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