French workers go on strike again protesting raise in retirement age

French workers are on strike again today and staging rallies to protest the government's bid to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. Rail and flights services were disrupted, with cancellations reported in Paris airports and French train stations.

A 24-hour strike on the French rail network SNCF has disrupted local and national train services across the country. In Paris, the suburban RATP network has been affected, though less than expected, and Parisian bus and metro services were running as usual, RFI reports.

Most international trains and flights -- including the high-speed Eurostar and Thalys trains and long-haul flights -- were operating normally.

Unions were hoping more than 2.5 million people would get involved in Thursday's demonstrations. Some union members were being brought into the capital in buses Thursday to boost the numbers.

The unions staged a similar day of strikes and demonstrations September 7, CNN International says.