Unions have been meeting with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne before tomorrow's day of industrial action against pension reform. The meeting with the inter-union group of the largest unions this morning lasted for less than an hour. According to the unions, they demanded the withdrawal of the pension reform legislation, saying that it was the only democratic way forward. The Prime Minister refused, saying that she wished to maintain the text of the legislation. The unions described the meeting as "a failure". Elisabeth Borne described it as an "important" meeting, even if disagreements on retirement age didn't allow an "in depth" discussion.
Disruption to train services is expected from this evening because of the industrial action. Nationally, one in two TER trains are expected to be running on average tomorrow as well as three out of four TGVs. No trams will run in Nice and some bus lines will be disrupted. Unions have also said that they expect about 20% of primary school teachers to be on strike tomorrow.
Two people have been charged following alleged criminal activity in the Moulins district of Nice. The public prosecutor said that two others have also been placed under assisted witness status.
President Macron has arrived in China on a state visit. He is being accompanied by EU Commission leader Ursula von der Layen. They are scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping tomorrow. Subjects discussed are expected to include the Ukraine war and the increasingly difficult trade relationship between the European Union and China.
An SNCF employee has died
