The unions are launching calls for strikes and demonstrations this Thursday, to try to obtain answers to their demands on wages. This day must bring together private and public employees and retirees, for jobs, salaries, public services, industry. Young people and “yellow vests” will join the processions and possible blockages. Transport, education or administrations... What to expect this Thursday? Sector by sector, 20 Minutes lists the main disruptions announced.
In transport, at SNCF and RATP
The railway sector is affected by calls for strikes from the four unions representing the SNCF. The railway company anticipates “disrupted” traffic on most of its regional and Ile-de-France lines, and “slightly disrupted” for TGVs. She specifies that the forecasts, line by line, will be detailed this Wednesday at 5 p.m.
RER D traffic is announced as “severely disrupted”, while that of RER C, RER E, lines J, N, R, and U is “disrupted”, according to the blogs of these lines. “Some deletions” to be expected on line P.
All TGV and Intercités customers whose train is canceled “will be contacted again and will be able to benefit from the exchange or reimbursement of their ticket free of charge,” adds the SNCF.
In terms of transport in the Paris metropolitan area, the RATP plans for “normal” metro, bus and tram traffic, with the exception of the RER B, co-operated with the SNCF.
In air and sea transport
In the aviation sector, several unions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) have called a strike, and disruptions should be known during the day.
On the maritime transport side, the port of Calais announced on X that “between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., severe disruptions are expected”, advising passengers to contact their ferry company.
In schools, colleges, high schools and universities
The Snes-FSU, the leading union of general and technological middle and high schools, calls for a “massive strike”, joined by the FSU-SNUipp and the SE-Unsa. The Ministry of National Education predicts around 17% of strikers in primary schools.
All contracted private education unions are calling for a strike on Thursday, a “first” in the history of the private sector, according to them. Private education under contract educates some 17% of French students, or more than two million students.
Dissatisfied with the government's first responses, the inter-union group bringing together high school and student unions (USL, Unef, Fage and Student Union) will swell the processions after blockades on Monday and Tuesday, and a wild demonstration in Paris.
In administrations and public services
State, territorial and hospital civil service agents are also affected by calls for mobilization. This Wednesday noon, the inter-union of Social Security employees called on agents to strike on Thursday and social security beneficiaries to join them in the face of budget cuts planned in the Social Security budget, they wrote in an open letter. This is signed by the six unions representing the institution's 150,000 agents (CFDT, CFE-CGC, CGT, CFTC, FO, UNSA).
Difficulties could arise in town halls and local administrations, municipal nurseries, school catering services, or sports and cultural facilities, with closures or reductions in opening hours. Public and private hospitals and health establishments could also be disrupted, despite the assurance of a minimum service.
On the side of the demonstrations
On Tuesday, a CGT map listed 244 demonstrations throughout France for Thursday. Will unions be able to march in the city center, a right denied to organizers of demonstrations against the high cost of living and to young people, after the scenes of violence and looting which marked October 17 in several towns?
In Paris, the police headquarters has not yet responded this Wednesday midday, while the unions are asking to march from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde. The matter has been taken to court with a hearing scheduled for today.
“We are still in discussion. And the more heated and late the discussions are on the definition of the place of departure in particular, the more it weighs on the conditions of security organization,” declared the general secretary of the CFDT Marylise Léon this Wednesday. “For two weeks, there have been no serious negotiations with the Paris prefecture. Just, they (we) are told “no city center”. It’s a shame,” added her CGT counterpart Sophie Binet, on RMC.
