French Summer of Discontent?

Holidaymakers heading to France this summer risk being caught up in strike action by public sector workers who have already staged a number of walk-outs this year.

A mass strike earlier this month ? the third so far since January ? led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and hit public transport in most major cities.

Some 80% of flights across France were grounded, Air France cancelled more than half of its short- and medium-haul services and there was widespread disruption on TGV high-speed rail services.

A lack of public transport also led to traffic jams in major cities including Paris, Lyon and Marseilles.

All but one of France's main unions took part in the latest 24-hour strike to protest against pension cuts for civil servants. Afterwards, Bernard Thibault, head of the Communist-affiliated CGT union, said there could be more this summer.

We have to resort to this type of protest when, despite our efforts, the government isn't listening to us, he told the Associated Press news agency.

Anyone booking a holiday to France should make sure they are adequately insured if their holiday is affected by unforeseen industrial action. Comprehensive travel insurance will include cover for travel delay, abandonment, missed departure, withdrawal of services and unused excursions.

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