Veteran French union boss sees tensions with Macron near breaking point

French CRS riot police pursue protesters, during a demonstration by French state-owned railway company SNCF workers and students, in Paris, as part of a nationwide strike, France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - A standoff between the French government and the country's unions could turn into a national confrontation against President Emmanuel Macron's reforms, a long-time leader of the labour movement said on Thursday.

Macron's government and the unions are clashing over reform of the SNCF state rail company, with two-day strikes set to take place every five days for three months.