Union cuts power to Paris rail stations

France’s biggest trade union claimed responsibility today for causing power cuts at three major Paris railway stations and warned there would be more protests over plans for the partial privatisation of the country’s gas and power utilities.

Trains to and from Paris’ St Lazare station were severely disrupted by the cuts, while two other main line stations suffered partial power losses.

The Communist-backed CGT union said the cuts were a response to attempts by the government to rush through new laws that would transform Electricite de France and Gaz de France from state agencies into corporations.

“It’s a deliberate action in the face of an acceleration by the government, which tells us that the parliamentary debate could happen very quickly,” said Gerard Rodriguez, a senior official of the CGT’s mining and energy division.

“Throughout the week, there will be more actions like this,” Rodriguez said. “We’re moving into a new rhythm.”

The CGT and France’s three other main unions have called a nationwide strike for June 15, when the government is set to present its partial privatisation plans to MPs.