Rail unions join October 1 French protest: who else is striking?
Widespread disruption on routes expected as unions continue to push for large-scale mobilisation
A widespread strike by train workers will take place next week in France
Spech/Shutterstock
Two major unions representing railway workers have filed strike motions for October 1, with major disruptions to the French transport network expected.
The CGT (Confédération générale du travail) and SUD-Rail unions have both filed motions as part of a wider general day of strike action planned for next Tuesday.
Read more: French workers called to join mass strike on October 1
Both unions are calling on all workers to join the action, they announced in a joint press release.
Other rail unions may still file strike notices for their workers for October 1.
Officially, strike action by railway workers from the two unions will take place between the evening of September 30 (Monday) and the morning of October 2 (Wednesday).
Information on affected SNCF services will be available around 17:00 on September 28 (Saturday), 48 hours before action begins.
Who else is striking?
Teaching unions have also called on teachers to strike, threatening schools with closure on Tuesday.
The education sector has already seen one major strike since the start of the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Teachers will again be striking in opposition to changes to school curriculums and testing, as well as for a pay increase/better working conditions, and for an end to the pension reforms of 2023.
The CGT has called on port workers to strike for four hours on October 1, including stevedores. Currently, no ferry services have said they will be impacted by the strike.
Other major sectors including the aviation industry and health sector have not directly called on workers to join the October 1 action and so far industry specific unions have not filed strike motions.
However, members of unions who have called on workers to strike (the CGT, FSU, SUD, and Solidaires) may walk out.
The CFDT, France's largest union, has said it will not call on any of its members to strike on October 1.
End to railway privatisation among demands
Alongside joining the October 1 strike action, rail unions are fighting against privatisation of passenger and freight routes.
Strike action will focus on “the plan to liquidate Fret SNCF [and privatise freight rail, which] continues without taking into account the recommendations of the parliamentary commission of inquiry or the demands of the trade unions,” the unions said.
“This is also the case for the creation of TER subsidiaries, which our federations denounce, since nothing obliges management to make this choice other than to undermine the social rights of railway workers.”
Regional rail lines, as well as local Transilien services in the Île-de-France and Intercités routes, are gradually being opened to competition in France, as per European regulations.
Read more: French regional trains suffer unreasonable delays, says consumer group
Other demands listed in the press release include:
An ‘end to the breakup of the social contract’ between government and rail staff
A general pay rise and a ‘genuine’ 13th month of salary for all rail workers, the upgrading/revision of work bonuses and recognition of qualifications for all railway workers
Respect for employment commitments made for 2024, in order to improve production, meet public service needs, and improve working conditions and daily lives of railway workers
An end to cost-cutting plans and austerity policies on the rail network
Repeal of the 2023 pension reforms
Immediate withdrawal of sanctions imposed on staff representatives
Read more: Are French easyJet workers going to strike this week?
