People who are planning to visit the Dordogne for a French holiday over the next month should be aware that five major trade unions are planning a nationwide day of strike action on the 23rd of March.

Connexion, the English-language French news monthly, reports that the unions are likely to strike in protest at proposed pension reforms. Although the publication says that it is “too early” to say what effect the strike will have or where the effects will be most felt, given the prominence of the unions it seems likely that services will be disrupted across the country.

CFDT, CGT, FSU, Solidaires and UNSA have all announced plans for an industry-wide walkout after President Sarkozy said that a new law on retirement would be pushed back to the Autumn, instead of summer as originally planned. Between them, the five unions represent many in blue-collar jobs, such as transport, retail or municipal services, as well as those in white-collar jobs such as civil administration.

Those on a French holiday may find it easier to plan around the strike. They may find shops, services and public attractions disrupted or closed due to lack of staff or temporarily closed as a gesture of solidarity with the movement. In the Dordogne specifically, it seems unlikely that the strike will affect the smaller villages and towns in the region, although larger settlements like Perigueux or Bergerac may be affected.

Related posts:

1. French doctors to strike
2. Dordgone and other departements may lose their municipal status
3. Demonstration over immigration may affect Dordogne
4. Dordogne reports little damage during ‘national disaster’ storms
5. Dordogne Documentary Festival line-up announced

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