Hundreds of railroad workers assembled in Place d'Italie, a square in the heart of the French capital, before moving out toward Montparnasse train station, a Sputnik correspondent said.
Demonstrators were seen carrying anti-government banners and chanting "Brussels and Macron derailed!" and "We are proud to be railroad workers!"
READ MORE: Yellow Vests Protesters Hold First Rally in Paris Since EU Elections (VIDEO)
The protest action was backed by all major French trade syndicates, including CGT, UNSA, SUD Rail and CFDT. They have published a joint manifesto, saying the reforms, which aim to increase competition in the industry, would hurt both workers and passengers.
Last year, French government reform of the state-owned railway operator SNCF was rejected by 94.97 per cent of the company’s employees that participated in a non-binding vote on the matter.
The measures caused a standoff between trade unions and the government, wreaked traffic havoc across the country last year, and aim to open the railway market for competition, ending railroaders' special status along with related benefits like early retirement.
Trade unions have largely opposed this measure saying it would worsen railroaders' working conditions.
READ MORE: Macron Vows to Push Economic Reforms, Blasts 'Hateful' Protest Leaders
