Shows canceled at France's d'Avignon theater festival as workers protest unemployment changes

One of Europe's premier theater festivals is canceling some shows as French workers protest changes to their offseason unemployment benefits.

The director of the Festival d'Avignon, Olivier Py, told journalists in Avignon that two plays scheduled to run on Friday's opening night have been cancelled.

The CGT union announced a strike but it's unclear how many workers are taking part.

Hundreds of seasonal theater workers and other artistic workers have demonstrated in recent weeks against a plan by France's indebted government to streamline and reduce the unemployment benefits they receive in the offseason. The dispute threatens to disrupt arts festivals across the country this summer.

The Festival d'Avignon in Provence is a three-week smorgasbord of theater, dance and eclectic performances that draws visitors from around the world.