France: Rail strikes June 27-July 3 /update 1

Event

Employees at France’s national rail operator SNCF will hold various strikes between Tuesday, June 27, and Monday, July 3. The two main unions representing rail workers, SUD Rail and CGT, have called for different types of strikes.

SUD Rail has called for all rail employees to hold a national strike beginning at 20:00 (local time) on Wednesday, June 28, until Monday, July 3, at 08:00.

On the other hand, the CGT has called for rail workers that they represent to strike on various days, which will vary by region. However, the schedule of these various strikes has not been communicated. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has already been impacted (June 26-27) and the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region could be impacted in the coming days.

Regional trains are expected to be the most impacted by the strikes while little disruption is expected on high-speed trains (TGVs). Nonetheless, disruptions (delays, cancelations) are possible throughout the French rail network, potentially impacting suburban trains in the Paris region (Transilien) as well.

Advice

Those present in France are advised to verify the status of their train before leaving for the station and to allow extra time to reach their destinations.