Strikes in France in March 2025 and how you may be impacted
Port workers will be on strike for much of the month
Strikes may be called in response to measures included in the 2025 budget
Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
Unions in several public sectors are planning strike action in March.
They may be joined at some point by other unions – notably those from the aviation sector – protesting measures included in France’s 2025 budget.
Read more: Tax, boilers, vehicles: 9 changes in March 2025 in France
The Connexion will update this article if further major strikes are announced for the month.
Port workers - Ongoing
Workers at major French ports have been on strike since January, protesting working conditions and changes related to the 2023 pension reforms.
They will conduct several days of partial four-hour strikes, as well as a three-day total walkout between March 18 - 20.
Although the action is largely being taken by dock workers, strikes in February affected ferry services between the UK and France and may do so again.
Those planning to travel via ferry in March should check for updates from their route operator before travelling to see if services have been affected.
In most cases, the ferry service will text or email passengers if their journey is impacted.
Teachers - Possible throughout March
Regional teaching unions across France are likely to call for action over the month in response to planned class closures and job cuts.
Teachers in Paris went on strike last month, affecting schools across the city, and may do so again. Unions in the Hauts-de-France department are calling for a strike on March 4.
The SUD-education union is also calling for action on March 8 – International Women’s Day – to highlight issues of gender inequality.
Parents should keep up to date with local media to see if strikes have been called.
Rail workers in Dordogne - March 7
The CGT union is calling for workers on regional services (TER) to join a one-day strike over living conditions, with both SNCF workers and security workers set to join.
Services are likely to be disrupted or cancelled – those planning to travel this day via train in or through the department should check schedules in advance.
Public hospital workers - throughout March
The health-wing of the CGT union is calling on workers in public hospitals to engage in strike action over the state of healthcare in France, as well as working conditions, pay increases, and regularisation of contracts.
The strike has been ongoing for many months with minimal impact although some outpatient appointments may be affected.
