Description:

Major disruption is expected across France tomorrow 23 September as another day of strikes is planned by the major public sector unions in protest over the planned increase in the retirement age for public sector workers.

In some regions local barbecues are planned for the grévistes  in  what is likely to  be something of a holiday atmosphere.

As usual the main sufferers will be those trying to get to work particularly in the metropolitan areas. But flights are also expected to be affected as some local branches of the air traffic controllers have been on strike for a week already and this will continue tomorrow.

SNCF services will be severely disrupted with some lines seeing only 25% of normal service .TGV and TER trains will be cut by about 50%.Trams and local bus services will be cut as well.

In addition to travel, hospitals, schools, post offices etc. will also suffer severe staff shortages in what is likely to be  an on-going  issue between the French Government and  the very politicised unions in the  enormous and powerful  public sector which refuse to accept any diminution in their retirement and social benefits.An increase from retirement at 60 to 62 is proposed by 2018.

For information on train services etc. :

SNCF - 08 05 90 36 35

Mainline trains - infolignes.com

                      - gares-en-mouvement.com

RATP - 0 800 15 11 11