<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>French strike disrupts transport

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> Some railway services are badly hit

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->French transport and other public services face disruption as trade unions begin a one-day national strike.

Commuters in the morning rush-hour have been affected. In Paris, about half the metro service is not running and some flights are expected to be grounded.

The strikers oppose government economic policies, including plans to privatise state firms, and complain that low pay is eroding their purchasing power.

The strike will add to the pressure on Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. <!-- E SF -->

French media are predicting the action will represent a "Black Tuesday" for the prime minister.

Plans to sell off the SNCM ferry firm have already led to a week of unrest in the southern port of Marseille.

Company staff have gone on strike and other workers at the port came out in sympathy, stranding thousands of tourists on the island of Corsica for several days.

The government says SNCM is debt-ridden and on the brink of collapse, but it has already modified its privatisation proposals and now intends to retain a 25% stake.

Trains and planes

Around half of Paris' metro lines are affected by the strike, while only one third of suburban trains are said to be operating.

Queues have been building up at train stations in the capital, Reuters reports.

Outside the Paris area, transport authorities said that 40% of regional services were running as well as 60% of high-speed intercity lines.

Disruption was also reported in Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Rennes and Rouen.

Flights will be hit, with air traffic controllers joining the strike.

France's civil aviation authority predicted that the strike would ground hundreds of short and medium-haul flights from Paris' two main airports.

No disruptions were expected on long-haul flights.

The German carrier Lufthansa has cancelled all flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Many schools are expected to close because of a lack of teachers or canteen staff.

Most post offices and government buildings are expected to remain shut. Some national newspapers did not publish on Tuesday morning.

De Villepin challenge

Demonstrations are planned in more than 140 towns and cities, with the biggest setting off from the Place de la Republique in Paris in the afternoon.

<!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> The action will put more pressure on Dominique de Villepin

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA -->Five trade unions called for the action. Strikers are also protesting about high unemployment and government reforms, which have made it easier for small companies to hire and sack staff.

The action is being seen as a major test for Mr de Villepin and his economic reform programme. The BBC's Alasdair Sandford says the prime minister has had a relatively successful first four months in office, but Tuesday's protest will be the first major challenge to his reform plans. <!-- E BO -->


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4305456.stm