Swiss freight forwarding and logistics giant, Kuehne + Nagel's (KN) operations in France have been disrupted by a 24-hour strike, while railway strikes target freight.
Meanwhile, Fret SNCF, the state-owned French rail freight service, has warned of an open-ended strike from 7pm on June 10 will lead to a considerable reduction in service.
Last Friday's strike against the world's largest forwarder, blocked several of the KN's regional warehouses and prevented deliveries to major French supermarket chains including Carrefour and Auchan.
The company has faced simmering labour unrest for some time, with the latest work stoppage linked to further demands for a monthly pay rise for all workers coinciding with annual wage negotiations at the group.
France is one the most important countries in the company's global network, where it employs 9,000 workers and operates from 130 locations, including 60 warehouses and logistics hubs.
Industrial action has been called in protest to the government's rail reform proposals, which will be debated in the French parliament later this month, reports Lloyd's List. It follows a 36-hour stoppage at the end of May.
The French state railway recommends that customers postpone, where possible, any shipments planned for this period.
Unions have called for a radical shift in Fret SNCF's strategy that has focused on rationalising routes and services in a bid to stem the trend of heavy annual losses and declining traffic volumes, according to Shipping Gazette.
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