France braces for work stoppages as Euro 2016 tournament approaches

In the lead-up to the presidential elections next year, France is facing a wave of industrial unrest. President Francois Hollande, despite having some of the lowest popularity ratings for a post-war French leader, is considering seeking a second term. The current conflict revolves around labor market reforms aimed at increasing flexibility, a move that unions vehemently oppose.

The CGT union, one of the main opponents of the reforms, has called for strikes on the national rail network from May 31, and on the Paris Metro from June 2. Aviation unions have also joined the fray, with stoppages planned for next weekend, and Air France pilots voting to strike for at least six days in June over productivity targets.

The labor reforms, designed to make it easier to hire and fire employees, have been a contentious issue. They would allow companies to negotiate terms and conditions with their workers instead of being bound by industry-wide agreements. However, unions argue that these reforms will erode job security and fail to bring down unemployment, currently at just under 10%.

The government, led by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, and the trade unions are the two main negotiating parties in this dispute. Unions are demanding the scrapping of the controversial labor reforms in France. Despite this, President Hollande has refused to withdraw the reforms, citing the need for a more flexible labor market.

The fresh industrial unrest is set to hit transport just days before fans begin arriving for the football championships, Euro 2016. This has raised concerns about potential chaos and disruptions, especially since strikes on trains and planes are already threatening to cause delays and cancellations.

On the ground, six of France's eight oil refineries are still halted or running at reduced capacity due to union action. This situation, coupled with the strikes in the transportation sector, has led Paris tourism chiefs to express fears that the strikes and rallies are putting off visitors to the city.

Despite the widespread strikes, nearly half of French people, 46%, still support the union's call for strikes and rallies, according to a poll in the Journal du Dimanche. CGT union leader Philippe Martinez considers a phone call with Prime Minister Manuel Valls a "good sign," indicating a potential for negotiation.

In a bid to ensure security during Euro 2016, President Hollande plans to deploy 90,000 security personnel and reinforce border security. Despite the threat remaining terrorism, the industrial unrest is adding an additional layer of complexity to the preparations for the major sporting event.

Pierre Gattaz, head of the MEDEF employers' federation, has emphasized the need for unions to end the strikes. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the government and unions will navigate this challenging period in French politics and industry.