FACTBOX: French unions planning November strikes

PARIS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a turbulent November as unions organize strikes and protests over issues ranging from his pension reform plans to concerns over purchasing power.

Here are details of recent or planned strikes:

RAIL UNIONS: Seven of the eight rail unions were on strike on Wednesday to protest against Sarkozy's plans to end their pension privileges. The strikes will be a follow up to those on October 18 that caused widespread disruption to French transport.

FGAAC, the main train drivers' union, has cut a deal with the government on its pensions and is not planning to strike.

PARIS TRANSPORT: Five unions have called for a rolling strike at Paris transport operator RATP. The CFDT and CFTC want just a 24-hour stoppage.

ENERGY WORKERS: Five unions at electricity firm EDF and gas company GDF were on strike on Wednesday. Two of them, the CGT and FO, want a rolling strike with targeted power cuts.

The leading energy union said strikers had cut about 12 percent of France's nuclear output capacity since the previous evening, and were disrupting the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal of Fos-sur-Mer.

OPERA: The Paris Opera company has cancelled a number of performances because of strikes by its staff, who are also affected by the pension reform. Further cancellations are expected this coming week.

CIVIL SERVANTS: Civil servants including teachers will strike on November 20 over the government's decision to cut some 23,000 public sector jobs next year.

STUDENTS: Around 35 universities were blocked on Wednesday by students protesting against a July reform of higher education and protests were planned in 11 towns, according to the Unef student union. There clashes between police and protesting students at Rennes university in western France on Tuesday. Some students are also planning to join civil service demonstrations on November 20.

JUDICIAL OFFICIALS: Judges and courtroom staff will go on strike on November 29 to protest against a reform of the judicial map of France which aims to close some smaller court houses.

POLICE OFFICERS: The two main police officers' unions held a short protest last Thursday over changes to their overtime next year. They may hold another protest later in the month.

FISHERMEN: Fishermen in western France went on strike earlier this month to protest against rising fuel costs. They agreed to return to work last week after Sarkozy proposed millions of euros in emergency measures to help them.