(The Associated Press distributed the following article on January 20.)
PARIS — French transport workers went on strike Tuesday, an action that will disrupt service for commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
The strike began at 8 p.m. Tuesday and there were no immediate reports of serious problems, though all domestic night trains were canceled, according to the state-run rail authority SNCF.
The walkout, which continues through 8 a.m. Thursday, was expected to hit Paris commuter and regional trains hard during the morning rush Wednesday.
Subways in the French capital will run normally, SNCF said. And Eurostar said about 80 percent of its trains to and from London were expected to operate.
Unions are protesting a proposal law by President Jacques Chirac forcing transport workers to maintain minimum service during strikes if negotiations fail to produce agreement within six months.
Transport workers also oppose plans to raise workers’ pay by 1 percent in 2004 after a year of no salary increases.
Transport strikes cost France hundreds of millions of dollars a year, disrupting schedules of workers and tourists.