Strikes by workers demanding raises close several Ikea stores in Paris area

Strikes force closures at Paris Ikea stores

PARIS — Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea has closed several stores in the Paris area amid strikes by workers demanding pay raises, company officials said Wednesday.

The walkouts began Saturday and led to the closure of five stores — though one reopened Wednesday, said Isabelle Cremoux, a spokeswoman for Ikea in France.

Ikea has offered to meet Thursday with labor unions in the dispute over pay, but only if six workers who have camped out in Ikea’s Paris offices leave the premises, Cremoux said.