French rail unions join growing November 5 strike

France’s four major rail unions have come together to call for a joint day of strike action on November 5 placing the sector at the forefront of a potentially crippling ‘general mobilisation.’

The CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots have called for the strike, highlighting several grievances including low wages and working conditions.

The rail strike is set to coincide with strikes already called for the same day by unions representing public and private sector workers. 

The cumulative effect of the November 5 strike action, which could also involve students, pupils, and retirees, could create widespread disruption throughout France.

Exact disruption is not yet known, however high-speed TGV rail services (both the InOui and OuiGo), long-distance Intercités, and regional TER lines may all be affected if turnout is high. 

Some international routes, including those jointly-operated by the SNCF or Eurostar, may also be impacted.

National rail operator SNCF typically publishes updated timetables no later than 17:00 on the day before strike action takes place.

A strike motion is yet to be filed, although this is required as a prerequisite for any strike action, and upcoming meetings between the SNCF and workers prior to November 5 may still see the action called off.

The strike may impact the rollout of the new ‘TGV M’ trains, the next iteration of France’s iconic high-speed train. The first trains are set to run between Paris and Marseille on November 6.

Unions call for national movement

France’s unions have more widely called for strikes in all public and private sectors on November 5 (a Thursday), and the forceful statement by rail unions in calling for a joint strike for the day may spur other sectors to do the same.

Five unions – the CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa, and teacher union FSU – have backed a ‘general mobilisation’ for the date, also inviting students, pupils, and retirees to join marches across the country alongside workers.

Three of these unions – the CFDT, CGT and FO – will meet with the government on Wednesday (October 21) regarding the strike, with security set to be a major focus. 

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said “conditions for security during demonstrations,” must be established with the unions prior to November 5, following widespread chaos on October 17 during a wave of student and ‘gilets jaunes’ protests in France. 

Despite backing the combined movements, unions have condemned some of last weekend’s protests due to violence and looting, and are now calling on people to join action on November 5, which will be more organised. 

“We condemn the actions of those who sought confrontation and took advantage of the mobilisation,” said Ronan Lherbier, secretary of the CGT for the Loire-Atlantique department to media outlet Ouest France.

“Currently, the discussion focuses more on the violence that took place than on the actual demands,” said Mr Lherbier. “Yet, the anger remains, and the government is failing to address it.”

Protests led by unions are generally more structured, with marches following a cortège led by unions and controlled by union members. 

While clashes between police and protesters remain common during such demonstrations, actions such as looting are typically more limited as unions set a pace for the march using trucks and vehicles and keep an eye on protesters, requiring them to stick to defined routes.

In contrast, protests over the weekend were largely decentralised, with no major group organising the actions of all protesters. 

More protests are expected this weekend, unaffiliated with the union movement on November 5.