France and it's bid for pension reform

FIVE of the biggest trade unions in France have called a national day of industry-wide strike action on May 27.

The planned protest will come two months after a similar walkout on March 23 which hit schools, public transport, hospitals, courts, banks and other public services.

The CGT, CFDT, FSU, Solidaires and Unsa unions have called the strike day to protest against proposed government reforms of the retirement and pensions system - including a possible increase in the state pension age, currently 60.

Unions are due to meet the president on Monday to discuss the pension reform bill, which the government wants to put to parliament by mid-June and hopefully pass in September.