French workers launched a general strike

French workers launched a general strike on 24 June 2010 to protest the government's plans to raise the retirement age, causing disruptions to transportation and other services across the country. In Paris, the work stoppage resulted in the cancellation of approximately 25 percent of subway services and 50 percent of mainline trains, while 15 percent of flights from the city's Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (LFPG/CDG) and Orly (LFPO/ORY) airports were canceled between 0700 and 1400 local time. Air France plans to operate all of its long-haul flights, but only 83 percent of its short and medium-haul services. Other cities affected by urban transit strikes with expected durations of between four and 24 hours included Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nancy, Nantes, Rennes, Strasbourg and Toulouse. Domestic and international rail services were also disrupted because employees of the state-owned rail operator SNCF joined the strike. Meanwhile, more than 200 rallies and street demonstrations are taking place across the country, with hundreds of thousands expected to participate.