France: SNCF and Air France strikes to cause disruptions April 23-24 /update 3

Event

Strikes affecting the SNCF and Air France are slated to coincide on Monday, April 23, and Tuesday, April 24, causing significant rail and air transportation disruptions, respectively, for travelers in Paris and across France. Approximately two-thirds of trains scheduled to operate in France on Monday have been canceled. Specifically, the SNCF has forecasted that only three of seven trains on the Transilien network (Île-de-France) will operate on Monday, as well as three out of seven on TER (Transport express régional), two out of five trains on TGV (high-speed train), three out of ten on the Intercités network, and one out of two international trains. SNCF is expected to release more information regarding Tuesday's expected rail transportation disruptions on Monday afternoon (local time). SNCF head Guillaume Pepy said on Sunday, April 22, however, that the strike action would have a lesser effect on rail transportation on Monday and Tuesday compared to prior disruptions associated with the strike.

Additionally, some 25 percent of Air France flights are expected to be canceled on Monday. On Sunday, April 22, the airline announced that it will operate 65 percent of its medium- and long-haul flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and 85 percent of its flights from Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) and other regional airports in France. Air France is expected to release details regarding Tuesday's expected flight disruptions on Monday afternoon; it is estimated that Monday's and Tuesday's flight disruptions will affect around 40,000 passengers each day. Additional strikes are expected to affect Air France flights in early May. 

The SNCF has announced that additional strikes will take place on the following dates: April 28 and 29; May 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 24, 28, and 29; June 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27, and 28. Finally, another public sector strike is planned for May 22.

Context

The industrial action affecting SNCF has been organized to protest reforms to the national rail system proposed by President Emmanuel Macron. Among the reforms are a phased plan to abolish the SNCF's monopoly on passenger rail in France, modifications to the structure of the SNCF to make it a joint-stock company, and changes to SNCF worker contracts so that they do not include more employee protections than other sectors.

Macron's government plans to abolish 120,000 civil servant jobs over a five-year period as part of its "Public Action 2022" plan, along with reforms such as an increased use of contractors and a merit pay system.

The Air France strike - the first round of which was launched in February - has been organized over a long-running pay dispute. Pilots, cabin crew, and ground crew staff have reportedly demanded a 6 percent pay rise; Air France management has countered with an offer to increase the pay of striking workers by 2 percent.

Advice

Individuals in France are advised to monitor the situation, confirm transportation reservations, and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.