French strike over pension reform set to disrupt travel and schools

France faces transport, school and industrial chaos tomorrow after unions called for a national downing of tools in protest at pension reforms.

The one-day general strike is expected to cause major disruptions, particularly in rail, road and air transport, with unions appealing for a million people to take to the streets.

The industrial action is in response to a long-anticipated overhaul of the pensions system, which will see the retirement age raised from 60 to 62. New taxes are also to be levied on high-income earners and capital gains tax increased to help plug the hole in the country's pension pot.

More than 200 demonstrations have been organised across the country and the opposition Parti Socialiste has called for a nationwide mobilisation. Its leader, Martine Aubrey, will lead a march in Lille.

Bernard Thibault, leader of the country's largest union, the CGT, said protesters needed to turn out in force so "the head of state understands that they do not agree with him".

Among the worst hit will be TGV rail services, only half of which are expected to run. Eurostar trains are not expected to be affected.

Pension reform has long been a thorny issue in French politics, but has become one of the planks of President Nicolas Sarkozy's remaining two years in office and vital if he decides to seek re-election in 2012. The right to stop working at 60 was introduced by Socialist president François Mitterrand in 1982 and enshrined in the collective consciousness as an inviolable right.

In an effort to limit the scale of the disruption, Sarkozy said he wanted to maintain dialogue with the unions, adding that parts of the reform were open for discussion – although the retirement age increase is not one of them.

"Working for longer is inevitable. There is no magical solution," said employment minister Eric Woerth, who described the reforms as "completely socially acceptable".

He said the changes would enable the government to clear its deficit and balance the pension books by 2018.

"All our partners in Europe have done this," argued Woerth. "It is not possible to stay on the sidelines of this movement."

This is the fourth time the unions have mobilised members to defend jobs, wages and pension this year. This time six of the main French unions will join forces hoping to send a loud and clear message to the country's leaders.

The CGT describes the proposals as a "flagrant injustice", with ordinary workers bearing the greatest burden of the reforms.

The president blames the retirement age and the 35-hour working week – another Socialist measure – for the country's economic woes. "Without them we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now," said Sarkozy, who intends to bring the pensions reform bill before the national assembly in September.

Conflicting opinion poll results have left observers confused about the mood in the country. A survey published in the rightwing Le Figaro said 58% of people considered the pension reforms "acceptable". However an earlier poll by the business daily Les Echos and France Info radio found 56% per cent oppose the measure and 64% are in favour of a day of industrial action.

More than half the country's primary school teachers are planning to strike tomorrow, but the effect on lycées, where students are taking oral baccalaureate exams, is expected to be limited.The average age of retirement in France is 58.8, compared with 62.6 in Britain, 61.7 in Greece and 61.3 in Germany. Only workers in Slovenia, who retire on average at 58.5, stop working earlier than the French.

Many state employees in manual jobs, including rail workers, retire on full pensions at 50.