As of 9 December 2019, French workers have continued to observe their strike for a fifth consecutive day over proposed pension reforms. Transportation services are significantly disrupted throughout the country, as rail workers continue to strike. National rail operator Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) warned that only approximately 20% of regular high-speed and cross-country services are scheduled for the day. Transportation options in the capital Paris remain very limited, as bus, metro, Réseau Express Régional (RER) lines and tram services are operating at significantly reduced capacities; some of these services are only running during peak hours. Eurostar has also warned of major disruptions through 12 December. Additionally, an air traffic controllers’ union has called for strikes beginning at 1900 local time (1800 UTC) on 9 December until 0600 local time on 11 December. The French aviation authority Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) warned that approximately 20% of scheduled flights would be canceled on 10 December. Trade unions have also called for a series of mass demonstrations on 10 December. Approximately 800,000 people attended demonstrations across the country during the previous call for mass mobilization on 5 December.
On 7 December “yellow vest” demonstrators in Paris were joined by union members during the 56th consecutive weekend of yellow vest protests. Police officers fired tear gas after a group of protesters threw projectiles at the officers near the Place de Catalogne and set fire to barricades near the Georges Brassens metro station. Clashes between protesters and police officers also occurred during demonstrations in the cities of Montpellier, Nantes, Strasbourg and Toulouse throughout the day.
