French union members protested throughout the country today at the government's latest effort to encourage people to work more than the standard 35-hour week.

MORE than half a million French workers took to the streets yesterday, unions said, for a one-day show of force against President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government over pension reforms.

French unions are mounting a sixth day of nationwide transport strikes today, despite signs the movement is running out of steam and heading towards negotiations.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has been sidelined. President Jacques Chirac has been forced into a subtle switch of loyalties to save face. And the two leaders’ mutual rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, is now at centre-stage.

THE PROSPECT of a complete disintegration of Social Partnership increased dramatically last night as Irish Ferries refused to attend Labour Court talks despite a Government request to do so.

French staff of a US owned company, tired of struggling with company e-mails, manuals and meetings in English, took their fight to court today.

Luton-based airline easyJet today cancelled 24 flights in and out of Paris Orly airport due to a strike by air traffic control staff.

Air France and Dutch carrier KLM will unite beneath the same corporate umbrella but stop short of a full merger under proposals being examined today, a trade union leader said.

Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Groupe Air France chief executive, has said that according to CGT and CFDT labour union sources, an alliance with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines NV should generate €400m of cost synergies over the next 5 years.

Striking truckers blocked roads in about 20 places across France today after management and two top unions failed to strike a deal in last-ditch pay talks.

French lorry drivers began erecting roadblocks across the country today, after pay talks with employers collapsed.

Seven labour unions of Groupe Air France have called for a 24-hour strike on Oct 24 to protest the French government's plans to continue its privatisation efforts by selling additional shares held by the state, according to a CFDT union official.