15
Sep 2025
14:12 UTC
France Tactical: Nationwide labor strike, associated protests, scheduled on September 18; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- On September 18, an inter-union multisector strike is scheduled to take place nationwide. Details on the strike action are as follows:
- Unionized rail sector workers employed by Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais (SNCF), France’s state-owned railway operator, will participate in the strike. The workers are affiliated with the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT) Cheminots, Force Ouvriere (FO), and Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes Mobilite (UNSA Mobilite).
- Public transportation operators in urban centers are also expected to be affected. In the Paris region, unionized workers affiliated with CGT, FO, and UNSA Mobilite, and employed by the Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), will join the strike. Employees in Marseille have also threatened to strike.
- With regard to aviation, air traffic controllers cancelled their participation in the strike. However, employees at Air France, France’s flagship carrier, will participate.
- Ridesharing drivers will also participate in the strike nationwide.
- Unionized pharmacists, including members of the Union des Syndicats de Pharmaciens d’Officine (USPO) and other unions, will also participate.
- In the education sector, middle and high school teachers and students affiliated with Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (Unef), Union Syndicale Lyceenne (USL), and Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second degre– Federation Syndicale Unitaire (SNES-FSU) will strike nationwide. Kindergarten and primary schools have not confirmed participation in the strike.
- Furthermore, electricity and gas workers, mobilized since September 2, have been called to maintain their action until September 18.
Source: Le figaro
- On September 18, an inter-union multisector strike is scheduled to take place nationwide. Details on the strike action are as follows:
- Unionized rail sector workers employed by Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais (SNCF), France’s state-owned railway operator, will participate in the strike. The workers are affiliated with the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT) Cheminots, Force Ouvriere (FO), and Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes Mobilite (UNSA Mobilite).
- Public transportation operators in urban centers are also expected to be affected. In the Paris region, unionized workers affiliated with CGT, FO, and UNSA Mobilite, and employed by the Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), will join the strike. Employees in Marseille have also threatened to strike.
- With regard to aviation, air traffic controllers cancelled their participation in the strike. However, employees at Air France, France’s flagship carrier, will participate.
- Ridesharing drivers will also participate in the strike nationwide.
- Unionized pharmacists, including members of the Union des Syndicats de Pharmaciens d’Officine (USPO) and other unions, will also participate.
- In the education sector, middle and high school teachers and students affiliated with Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (Unef), Union Syndicale Lyceenne (USL), and Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second degre– Federation Syndicale Unitaire (SNES-FSU) will strike nationwide. Kindergarten and primary schools have not confirmed participation in the strike.
- Furthermore, electricity and gas workers, mobilized since September 2, have been called to maintain their action until September 18.
Source: Le figaro
- In Paris, an associated protest will take place on September 18.
- The protest march will be held from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde from 14:00 (local time).
Source: X/Twitter
- In Paris, an associated protest will take place on September 18.
- The protest march will be held from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde from 14:00 (local time).
Source: X/Twitter
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and the mobilization capacity of the groups involved, total nationwide turnout is expected in the low-to-mid hundreds of thousands, with 198,000 protesting nationwide on September 10. Protests in cities are likely to see turnouts varying from low thousands to high tens of thousands. Paris is expected to see the highest turnout, ranging from the high tens of thousands up to around 100,000 people.
- Moreover, the left-wing citizen movement ‘Bloquons tout’ (‘Block Everything’) is expected to use September 18 to mobilize nationwide. Considering this, alongside the historical precedent for unrest during mass anti-government protests in France, these demonstrations carry an elevated threat of violent unrest.
- Unrest is likely to manifest in the form of clashes between activists and police, particularly in urban areas and at transport hubs. Protests where Bloquons tout and other far-left actors are present are at a higher risk for unrest. Such unrest may include vandalism of public and private property, targeted arson, the use of projectiles, incendiary devices, and temporary blockages of streets or transport infrastructure. This is also liable to trigger opportunistic criminal activity, including looting in commercial areas adjacent to demonstrations
- Given precedent and widespread support, the strike is expected to see high participation, with additional groups likely to join or stage walkouts on September 18. This is likely to result in supply-chain disruptions, especially given the expected impact on transportation.
- Severe disruptions to rail travel and public transportation, including last-minute cancellations and delays, are anticipated during the strike. With that, overcrowding on other available public transport services, like intercity buses, is likely to occur in areas experiencing significant travel disruptions. Additionally, traffic congestion on major motorways should be expected, as commuters resort to using personal vehicles.
- Further, Air France flight operations are likely to face significant disruptions, including flight delays, cancellations, and extended wait times at airports. Other airlines and air traffic control operations are expected to remain largely unaffected. Residual disruptions for Air France flights are anticipated to persist on September 19, following the conclusion of the strike.
- Additionally, given the education strike, disruptions to education-related services can be expected nationwide on September 18. Considering potential school closures, disruptions to other sectors are likely, as parents will be required to look after children at home or seek alternative care.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in France on September 18 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near any labor action-related protests due to the heightened risk for unrest.
- Allot for disruptions to travel, including rail and aviation, and supply chains due to the planned labor action.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
France
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Confirmed
Current Situation
- On September 18, an inter-union multisector strike is scheduled to take place nationwide. Details on the strike action are as follows:
- Unionized rail sector workers employed by Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais (SNCF), France’s state-owned railway operator, will participate in the strike. The workers are affiliated with the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT) Cheminots, Force Ouvriere (FO), and Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes Mobilite (UNSA Mobilite).
- Public transportation operators in urban centers are also expected to be affected. In the Paris region, unionized workers affiliated with CGT, FO, and UNSA Mobilite, and employed by the Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), will join the strike. Employees in Marseille have also threatened to strike.
- With regard to aviation, air traffic controllers cancelled their participation in the strike. However, employees at Air France, France’s flagship carrier, will participate.
- Ridesharing drivers will also participate in the strike nationwide.
- Unionized pharmacists, including members of the Union des Syndicats de Pharmaciens d’Officine (USPO) and other unions, will also participate.
- In the education sector, middle and high school teachers and students affiliated with Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (Unef), Union Syndicale Lyceenne (USL), and Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second degre– Federation Syndicale Unitaire (SNES-FSU) will strike nationwide. Kindergarten and primary schools have not confirmed participation in the strike.
- Furthermore, electricity and gas workers, mobilized since September 2, have been called to maintain their action until September 18.
Source: Le figaro
- On September 18, an inter-union multisector strike is scheduled to take place nationwide. Details on the strike action are as follows:
- Unionized rail sector workers employed by Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais (SNCF), France’s state-owned railway operator, will participate in the strike. The workers are affiliated with the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT) Cheminots, Force Ouvriere (FO), and Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes Mobilite (UNSA Mobilite).
- Public transportation operators in urban centers are also expected to be affected. In the Paris region, unionized workers affiliated with CGT, FO, and UNSA Mobilite, and employed by the Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), will join the strike. Employees in Marseille have also threatened to strike.
- With regard to aviation, air traffic controllers cancelled their participation in the strike. However, employees at Air France, France’s flagship carrier, will participate.
- Ridesharing drivers will also participate in the strike nationwide.
- Unionized pharmacists, including members of the Union des Syndicats de Pharmaciens d’Officine (USPO) and other unions, will also participate.
- In the education sector, middle and high school teachers and students affiliated with Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (Unef), Union Syndicale Lyceenne (USL), and Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second degre– Federation Syndicale Unitaire (SNES-FSU) will strike nationwide. Kindergarten and primary schools have not confirmed participation in the strike.
- Furthermore, electricity and gas workers, mobilized since September 2, have been called to maintain their action until September 18.
Source: Le figaro
- In Paris, an associated protest will take place on September 18.
- The protest march will be held from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde from 14:00 (local time).
Source: X/Twitter
- In Paris, an associated protest will take place on September 18.
- The protest march will be held from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Concorde from 14:00 (local time).
Source: X/Twitter
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and the mobilization capacity of the groups involved, total nationwide turnout is expected in the low-to-mid hundreds of thousands, with 198,000 protesting nationwide on September 10. Protests in cities are likely to see turnouts varying from low thousands to high tens of thousands. Paris is expected to see the highest turnout, ranging from the high tens of thousands up to around 100,000 people.
- Moreover, the left-wing citizen movement ‘Bloquons tout’ (‘Block Everything’) is expected to use September 18 to mobilize nationwide. Considering this, alongside the historical precedent for unrest during mass anti-government protests in France, these demonstrations carry an elevated threat of violent unrest.
- Unrest is likely to manifest in the form of clashes between activists and police, particularly in urban areas and at transport hubs. Protests where Bloquons tout and other far-left actors are present are at a higher risk for unrest. Such unrest may include vandalism of public and private property, targeted arson, the use of projectiles, incendiary devices, and temporary blockages of streets or transport infrastructure. This is also liable to trigger opportunistic criminal activity, including looting in commercial areas adjacent to demonstrations
- Given precedent and widespread support, the strike is expected to see high participation, with additional groups likely to join or stage walkouts on September 18. This is likely to result in supply-chain disruptions, especially given the expected impact on transportation.
- Severe disruptions to rail travel and public transportation, including last-minute cancellations and delays, are anticipated during the strike. With that, overcrowding on other available public transport services, like intercity buses, is likely to occur in areas experiencing significant travel disruptions. Additionally, traffic congestion on major motorways should be expected, as commuters resort to using personal vehicles.
- Further, Air France flight operations are likely to face significant disruptions, including flight delays, cancellations, and extended wait times at airports. Other airlines and air traffic control operations are expected to remain largely unaffected. Residual disruptions for Air France flights are anticipated to persist on September 19, following the conclusion of the strike.
- Additionally, given the education strike, disruptions to education-related services can be expected nationwide on September 18. Considering potential school closures, disruptions to other sectors are likely, as parents will be required to look after children at home or seek alternative care.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in France on September 18 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near any labor action-related protests due to the heightened risk for unrest.
- Allot for disruptions to travel, including rail and aviation, and supply chains due to the planned labor action.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
France
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Confirmed
Related Reports
France
-
ProtestFrance Tactical: Nationalist rally to take place at Place de la Republique in Paris from 14:00 (local time) on October 12; maintain heightened vigilance -
ProtestFrance Tactical: Protest by unionized department store workers slated at 34 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris, from 15:00 (local time) on October 10; allot for disruptions -
ProtestFrance Tactical: Protest by NGO groups slated at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, Paris from 14:00 (local time) on October 11; allot for disruptions
-
TravelEurope Tactical: Marathon events scheduled in multiple cities regionwide on October 11-12; maintain heightened vigilance
Related Reports
France
-
ProtestFrance Tactical: Nationalist rally to take place at Place de la Republique in Paris from 14:00 (local time) on October 12; maintain heightened vigilance
-
ProtestFrance Tactical: Protest by unionized department store workers slated at 34 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris, from 15:00 (local time) on October 10; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestFrance Tactical: Protest by NGO groups slated at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, Paris from 14:00 (local time) on October 11; allot for disruptions
-
TravelEurope Tactical: Marathon events scheduled in multiple cities regionwide on October 11-12; maintain heightened vigilance