France braced for transport strikes ahead of Euro 2016

France is readying itself for reduced train services as rail workers prepared to begin striking late yesterday even as a separate protest movement by refinery operators shows signs of easing.

National train operator SNCF said six in 10 high-speed trains should run today as three unions called for strike action at 7pm yesterday, while fewer than half of trains will be available for commuter and other services.

The spreading labour unrest has president Francois Hollande scrambling to calm the situation 10 days before the beginning of the Euro 2016 football tournament, which France is hosting.