Reactor 2 at the Flamanville nuclear power plant operated at reduced capacity on Friday, September 11, due to a strike organized by some of its employees, according to EDF, the French electricity company. The strike is part of a broader protest against the government's plan to reduce a discount on electricity and gas bills that significantly lowers the costs for EDF employees and retirees. Despite the reduced output of reactor 2, EDF stated that the electricity supply remained secure. The reactor was generating 260 megawatts (MW) of power, far below its maximum capacity of 1,300 MW. Four major trade unions—CGT, CFE-CGC, CFDT, and FO—have called for a full strike on Tuesday, September 15, with a planned demonstration in front of the Ministry of Economy in Paris. The strike on Friday is considered an "anticipation of the strike" by Maxence François, a CGT coordinator at EDF’s nuclear and thermal division. François explained that local employees chose to reduce the load on reactor 2 instead of shutting down the other reactor, which was scheduled for maintenance. Unit 1, which was meant to go into maintenance, continued to operate, while unit 2 experienced a planned reduction in power output initiated by the workers. The government's proposal to reduce the discount on electricity and gas bills is currently being reviewed by the Court of Audit, France’s financial oversight body. The court has estimated that the current discount rate "represents an excessive cost" for EDF SA, the parent company of EDF. According to the court, the discount cost the EDF group more than 700 million euros in 2024. Employees and retirees of EDF pay less than 2% of the average electricity or gas prices that regular consumers pay, according to the Court of Audit. Trade unions had written to the Prime Minister in mid-July, urging him not to eliminate the discount, which they argue is a key part of their compensation. The upcoming strike and planned demonstration in Paris reflect the growing tension between EDF workers and the government over the proposed changes to their benefits. The dispute highlights the broader debate about the financial sustainability of subsidies and discounts for energy sector employees in France.