Strikes spread to all nuclear plants in France
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The CGT labor union flag is seen at the entrance of the nuclear power plant of Chinon.
France’s union workers plan to begin rolling strikes in the power sector, including at all nuclear plants as part of nationwide protests against contentious labor reforms.
According to Press TV, members of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union voted to down tools at all 19 nuclear power plants on Thursday.
“All power production sites voted to strike from Thursday. All 19 nuclear plants voted for the strike. We will start cutting power output tonight from 1900 GMT,” said CGT union official Laurent Langlard.
The walkout will unlikely end up in blackouts since there is a rule that obliges unions to retain a minimum output level that prevents outages.
However, the EDF, France’s nuclear electric power generation company, might be forced to boost its electricity imports from neighboring countries to make up for the shortage.
France produces around 75 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy. The rest is derived from renewable energy and fossil fuels.
Langlard said that in addition to nuclear plants, hydro- and fuel-powered stations also voted in favor of the strike.
ME
