Macron came to power in May on a promise to shake up Europe's second-biggest economy, in a bid to modernize creaking institutions and spur jobs growth. He has so far faced down unions to liberalize labor regulations.

The government argues the overhaul will help transform the heavily indebted company into a profitable public service, but workers have hit back with complaints the SNCF was being dismantled to pave the way for privatization.

The SNCF reform has drawn public support so far, and 56 percent of French people thought the stoppages were unjustified, according to an Ifop poll published on Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche. But discontent is also brewing in other sectors.

Students have disrupted universities in protest at a planned new selection system in higher education. Garbage collectors and other public workers have also held rallies.

Reuters - Afp