France, Oct. 1 -- French trade unions have organised more than 180 demonstrations and strikes across the country on Tuesday calling for wage increases and the repeal of the controversial pension reform. The actions coincide with Prime Minister's Michel Barnier's first speech to parliament, where he is expected to outline his new government's priorities.

The CGT, the FSU, Solidaires and several student unions have joined forces for marches in several cities across France includingGrenoble, Marseille, Rennes and Bordeaux in the morning, followed by afternoon rallies in Paris, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lille and Dunkirk.

However, unions like the CFDT, the Force Ouvriere, the CFE-CGC, the CFTC (Christian workers) and the Unsa have said they wil...