France: Nationwide rail strike on July 6-7 /update 3

Event

Rail services to, from, and within France will experience disruptions on Friday, July 6, and Saturday, July 7, due to a strike by rail workers. According to the SNCF, France's national rail operator, 20 percent of high-speed trains (TGVs) and regional trains (TERs), 33 percent of Intercités trains (inter-city), and 25 percent of the Transilien trains (Greater Paris region), will be affected by the strike on July 6. Increased road traffic congestion is to be anticipated on strike days in and around cities.

Context

The rail strikes have been organized to protest reforms to the national rail system (SNCF) proposed by President Emmanuel Macron and approved by the National Assembly and the Senate June 12-14. 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 to bring them in line with employee protections in other sectors.

Advice

Individuals traveling to, from, or via France by train are advised to confirm rail reservations and timetables and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.