Commuters board a train at the Saint-Lazare station in Paris

A nationwide strike in France has disrupted public transport as workers seek pay hikes and protest the conservative government's economic and labor reforms.

The walkout, led by transportation and other public workers, is the country's first major labor unrest since Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin took office four months ago.

The strike caused delays in public transport in Paris and major disruptions in other cities, including Lyons and Marseille, but the disruptions were less than originally feared. The walkout delayed numerous flights at Paris airports and forced cancellation of nearly 400 flights. The strikers scheduled marches and demonstrations in about 140 towns and cities.

Recent public opinion poll results indicate nearly three out of four French people support the strike.

 Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.