Rail, schools, métro: What to expect from Thursday’s strike in France

[Article updated on November 8 at 14:15 with further details on affected sectors.]

Workers in France from several different sectors are set to go on strike on Thursday (November 10), with the disruption expected to be at its most severe across the Paris transport network.

The calls for strike action are being led by the CGT union, which is demanding a minimum wage rise, general salary increases for all workers and improved working conditions.

We look at what people in France can expect from the day of industry action.

Read also: Most strikes in France are on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Here’s why

Paris transports

The Paris transport operator RATP has warned that métro and RER traffic will be “very severely disrupted” on Thursday.

This comes after unions shared their plans for a day of “zero métro, zero RER”.

“There will be many lines closed,” Bastien Berthier of FO-RATP, which represents 72% of métro drivers, said. “The management had the power to avert this conflict, they have had our demands since October 7 and are [only] meeting us a month later to say that they cannot negotiate.”

Bus and tram services are also set to be “disrupted”, and the network has promised to keep passengers updates “in real time”.

RATP is encouraging people in the capital to work from home or delay their journeys to avoid being affected by significant delays, and “apologises for the expected conditions”.

The RER A and B are expected to be particularly impacted by the strike. More detailed information on service provision that day will be published later this afternoon (November 8).

Paris transports are expected to be particularly affected by the strike because all of the unions representing RATP workers – the CGT, FO, Unsa, La Base and Solidaires – are taking part.

National rail services

In terms of SNCF train services operating across France, the CGT union has not been joined by Unsa, SUD-Rail and the CFDT in this mobilisation.

The CGT has still called for its members to take action in a statement, but participation is expected to be limited.

SNCF has not published any information regarding potential disruption, but anyone whose TGV or Intercités train is cancelled or delayed should be notified individually.

Montpellier transports

The CGT has confirmed that workers employed by Tam, Montpellier's local public transport operator, have decided to strike on Thursday.

Union members are asking for improved working conditions and a 32-hour week.

Nice transports

The Lignes d'Azur bus and tram network will be at a standstill on Thursday.

In response, the city hall has announced that roadside parking will be free on the day to help people who need to drive into the centre.

Grenoble transports

Grenoble's tram network is already suspended and certain bus lines are also heavily disrupted as the result of an ongoing movement by workers employed by the local operator TAG.

This industry action is to continue "until further notice".

Schools

Other public sector workers including teachers have also been called to strike, meaning that some schools could be affected.

However, nursery and primary school staff must declare their intention to strike at least 48 hours in advance, so parents should know by now if their child’s class will be impacted.

Collège and lycée teachers are not obliged to do the same thing.

Extracurricular activities and school canteen services could also be affected by the strike.

Healthcare

The CGT Santé branch has called medical and non-medical hospital staff, blood tranfusion operator L'Etablissement français du sang and private healthcare establishments of collective interest to strike.

It is not yet known how many healthcare workers will participate.

Post offices

Some French post office services could be slowed down or suspended as a result of strike action.

This will begin with the nighttime handover on Wednesday (November 9), and last until midnight on Thursday.

Demonstrations

Protests led by SNCF staff are expected to take place in Angoulême and Toulon.

General demonstrations have also been organised in Caen, Montpellier, Amiens, Toulouse, Nancy, Poitiers, Paris, Nîmes, Lille and Mulhouse.

These protests could affect car, bus and tram traffic in these cities.

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