Nationwide strikes on 24th June

French workers plan to stage a nationwide day of action on 24 June 2010 to protest government plans to increase the retirement age. Disruptions to public transportation and air traffic are expected because of strikes, and traffic disruptions are possible because of the many street protests planned across the country. The French civil aviation agency has announced plans to restrict by 15 percent air traffic at Paris' Orly (LFPO/ORY) and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (LFPG/CDG) airports between the hours of 0700 and 1400 local time in anticipation of the labor action. Some employees of Air France are expected to join the strike, although the airline expects that only a limited number of short and medium-haul flights will be affected. Rail services are also expected to face disruptions, as employees of the state-owned rail operator SNCF plan to strike from 2000 local time on 23 June until 0800 local time on 25 June. Public transportation services in Paris and other cities will also likely experience delays because of reduced services. Unions organized the protests over the government's plans to reform the country's pension system as a means of reining in public expenditures.