RAIL WORKERS LAUNCH 36 HOUR STRIKE

Railway workers launched a 36-hour nationwide strike on 19 October 2009 to protest changes proposed by the French rail network SNCF that would restructure freight operations. The work stoppage is expected to result in disruptions to rail services and reduced capacity. In Paris, RER lines A and E will operate normally, but other lines will run at between 50 and 75 percent of capacity. Regional train services will also be affected, with only half of scheduled services expected to operate. Approximately one-third of high-speed TGV train services will be canceled, but international Eurostar and Thalys trains will operate normally.