Strike derails schools, services in France

The EU observer said police estimate 1.23 million took part in the protests, but a police union in Marseilles disagreed with that count. Members of the police force in Marseilles traveled to Paris to participate in the rallies there, the EUobserver said.

The general strike closed as many as 300 high schools with teachers barricading themselves into some buildings.

Besides Wednesday's actions, striking petroleum workers have closed down 10 of France's 11 oil refineries. The port of Fos-Lavera, critical to the oil industry, has been shut down for two weeks, due to strikes there, the report said.

As the government proceeds with austerity measures, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said, "We are determined to carry through this reform." He called the strikes "irresponsible."

Unions, meanwhile, were planning to increase their protests. In a survey, 61 percent of the respondents indicated they would support and on-going strike and nearly 70 percent indicated they supported Wednesday's strike.

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