France stands still: gigantic strike causes travel chaos!

France stands still: gigantic strike causes travel chaos!

On September 18, 2023, there were nationwide strikes in France, which significantly affected travel. Travelers had to deal with delays and cancellations on trains, flights and local transport. The protests were directed against the government's austerity plans and were expected to draw up to 800,000 participants, with authorities predicting a turnout of over 400,000 people in advance. The day represented a further expression of growing dissatisfaction with the government's political decisions ADAC that the first day of strike took place on September 10th, but it went relatively smoothly.

The air traffic controllers' union, SNCTA, decided to postpone its strike until October, which brought some relief to travelers on September 18, as flight cancellations were the exception. Nevertheless, travelers had to expect delays at the airports. Three Air France unions voted in favor of strikes, which could also have a possible impact on flights. Disruptions to local transport were also expected in cities such as Paris, Toulouse and Grenoble, with four unions supporting the strike in Paris.

Public transport and health sector affected

The state railway SNCF reported that cancellations and delays were to be expected on the TGV and Intercités. Public transport was severely disrupted, particularly the subway, buses and RER. Nine out of ten pharmacies in France remained closed on the day of the protest as pharmacists protested against planned reimbursement reductions for generic drugs. Armaud Faugère warned of possible bankruptcies and layoffs in the pharmacy industry. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced massive police operations to prevent possible riots, and 80,000 police officers were on standby.

The general secretary of the Force Ouvrière (FO) union, Claude Bacca, said many union members were exhausted from previous protests. Nevertheless, this day of strike is a warning to the government not to ignore the needs of the employees. The protests took place a week after the first day of protests by the “Bloquons tout” movement and were intended to draw the government's attention to the discontent among the population. Bacca distanced himself from violent protests and criticized rioters.

Travel warnings and infrastructure

The Foreign Office advised travelers in France to be careful of crowds and to follow the instructions of the security forces. Drivers should also keep themselves informed about the traffic situation, as increased traffic volumes were also expected on the roads. Disruptions could also affect employees from other sectors, including hospitals, police, fire departments, schools and garbage collection. Further strike dates have already been announced, including a farmers' day of action on September 26th.

Travelers were also encouraged to inform themselves about their rights in the event of strike-related cancellations, as compensation may be available in some locations. The situation in France shows how significant public pressure has become on the government and how strongly the population is resisting the austerity measures. For many, September 18th was not just a day of strike, but a clear expression of protest against current policies.