Paris, April 2 (News agencies) - A major strike by workers at the French state railway SNCF - including train drivers - is expected to paralyse rail travel across France. Three months of train stoppages are set to begin on Monday evening, as trade unions push back against President Emmanuel Macron's labour reforms. Le Parisien newspaper says most people will be able to get home normally after Easter weekend before the trains stop. The waste collection, electricity and energy sectors also expect strikes. On March 22, tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and other workers joined rail staff on strike - a sign of widespread opposition to Mr Macron's plans for state sector liberalisation. Air France unions representing both flight crews and ground staff announced on Sunday a new two-day strike for April 10 and 11, the latest move in its pay dispute with the French flag carrier since February. These new dates are in addition to Air France plans to strike on Tuesday and Saturday, The staff of Air France have already carried out a work stoppage on three dates, February 22 and March 23 and 30. In a statement Sunday, the three pilot unions slammed the "obstinate refusal" of the airline's management "to take into consideration the least of their demands." The pilots have been joined by unions representing flight attendants and ground personnel, which later issued a joint statement saying Air France "does not take seriously the determination of the employees and the unions."
