It was cautioned by the Socialist government that the European football tournament beginning in France on Jun 10 could face disturbances if the government did not give in. Demonstrators flooded the streets while workers heeded the union's call by halting work at various facilities such as oil refineries, nuclear power plants, and railways. They also set up obstacles on roads and set fire to wooden pallets and tires at critical ports like Le Havre and near vital distribution centers. Prime Minister Manuel Valls asserted that the government would not retract the law and would dismantle refinery blockades, suggesting that there could be minor adjustments to the reforms but not to any fundamental aspects. The country's major trade union, CFDT, supported his stance. Following months of ongoing protests triggered by a reform aimed at simplifying hiring and firing procedures, the strikes and demonstrations on Thursday were being closely monitored to determine the strength of the CGT-led opposition movement. Scores of participants from a youth protest movement called Nuit Debout (Night Rising) joined the street marches. Police were present to prevent any potential violence, as similar rallies in recent weeks had resulted in injuries to both police officers and protesters, as well as numerous arrests. Philippe Martinez, the head of the CGT union, suggested that the government could resolve the situation by halting the implementation of the controversial law. Jean-Claude Mailly, leader of the FO union, also expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response, stating that it was time for the prime minister to make a change. Despite calls to modify the law, Prime Minister Valls remained firm in his stance and refused to eliminate the provision that had sparked the protests. This particular section of the law would allow companies to bypass national labor regulations if they establish agreements on wages and working conditions with the majority of their employees. The train company SNCF reported that around two-thirds of national, regional, and local rail services were running despite ongoing strikes by railworkers. The impact of the strikes was less severe compared to the previous week when half of the trains were not running. Following police intervention to clear blockades at refineries and fuel depots, Prime Minister Valls stated that 20-30 percent of fuel stations were experiencing shortages. Transport Minister Alain Vidalies mentioned that the situation was improving, with fuel deliveries from depots to petrol stations getting better. In the Loire-Atlantique department of western France, the number of fuel stations experiencing shortages decreased from 140 on Wednesday to 83 on Thursday. The French nuclear power capacity has been reduced by up to five gigawatts due to stoppages, which is approximately six percent of the total production capacity. While experts believe that the strike at the nuclear plant is unlikely to cause major blackouts due to legal restrictions and power imports, it typically increases running costs for EDF power utility. Additionally, a strike by dockers at the port of Marseille has led to an increase in the number of ships waiting to offload oil, gas, and chemicals. A protest over pension reform in 2010 ended after police dispersed picketers at supply depots and railworkers faced disruptions that affected their paychecks. Total SA, a major oil company, announced that almost all of its fuel distribution depots are operational, with only one exception. However, it cautioned that two out of its five refineries in France are currently not operating, and two more are expected to stop production soon. The CGT union is facing a more isolated fight this time around. Laurent Berger, leader of the CFDT union and supporter of the proposed labor reform, expressed concerns about the intense political and industrial atmosphere, urging for a more peaceful approach.