TGV strike action to see third of trains cancelled in western France

Rail services will be disrupted in western France today (Friday, October 22) and this weekend as TGV Atlantique high-speed trains are cancelled due to strike action.

SNCF has warned that one in 10 Inoui and Ouigo trains will be cancelled today while one in three will not run on Saturday and Sunday.

This will affect trains serving cities including Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, La Rochelle and Angers.

Certain Intercités services between Nantes and Bordeaux, Bordeaux and Marseille, and Toulouse and Hendaye may also be impacted.

The disruption is a result of a strike called by three trade unions – CGT-Cheminots, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots – to protest over working conditions and pay.

It coincides with the start of the two-week Toussaint school holiday break in France when many people set off on trips around the country.

The three unions said in a statement that “for weeks now” they have repeatedly attempted to engage the train operator over “a growing discontentment” among train conductors on the Axe Atlantique.

The working day, the statement says, is growing “ever longer” while “living and working conditions are deteriorating day by day,” along with a “reduction in average pay.”

Staff shortages are also leading to holidays being refused, it adds, saying that negotiations on these issues “have not come to a satisfactory conclusion at this point.”

“Consequently, transport services will be reduced this weekend on TGV Inoui and Ouigo [trains] to and from Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Nouvelle Aquitaine and Occitanie.

“Each of the customers concerned has been contacted,” and “can seek a refund or exchange for another date, free of charge.”

Those who have not yet booked their journey are encouraged to delay if possible.

You should be able to view the trains that are running on the SNCF website or the Assistant SNCF app.

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