SOME 120,000 homes in western France were hit by a blackout yesterday during strikes at 16 of the country’s 19 nuclear power plants.

Members of the CGT union voted for a one-day walkout at the power stations, which generate most of France’s electricity, in anger at the El Khomri labour law which weakens workers’ rights.

Nuclear plants are required to maintain a minimal level of production even during strikes for security reasons.