UPDATED: The days to avoid train and plane travel in France this April
The strike calendar for April in France is filling up with Air France unions announcing four new dates and rail workers set for 34 more days of industrial action. Here's an updated look at the days you might want to avoid plane and train travel this spring.
If you are coming to France in the next few days and months or you just live in France and rely on train travel then there are quite a few dates to get in your diary. (SEE full calendar below.)
Rail workers have long since made their intentions clear to hold a series of two-day rolling strikes until April 28th.
The first of these two-day strikes was held on Tuesday April 3rd and Wednesday April 4th and rail users were given a sign of what they can expect over the coming weeks with services severely disrupted.
Only one out of eight high-speed TGV trains were running and only a quarter of services in the Paris region.
Rail workers believe the tactic of striking for two days, then returning to work for three days, before another two day strike will maximize the disruption to the rail network whilst not hitting them as hard in the pocket as a continuous rolling strike.
The dates below in blue show when the rail strikes are due to take place. Unions have vowed they will go ahead unless the government backs down on its reform plans. Both sides seem determined to fight their corner so it looks unlikely a compromise will be reached that will see the strikes called off.
Air France workers, including pilots, cabin crews and ground staff, have also been getting in on the action too.
They have been holding a number of one-day strikes since February but have now decided to tighten the screw on company chiefs by announcing four new dates. Significantly they coincide with the rail workers strike as unions for the airline's workers, who are fighting for a 6 percent pay rise, want to maximize disruption.
The four dates announced are April 17th and 18th plus April 23rd and 24th.
The dates in the calendar with a red mark under them are when Air France staff are due to strike in April. On previous strike days around a quarter of flights have been cancelled to and from airports all over France.
With Air France bosses insisting the company will only offer a 1 percent pay rise to staff a compromise that would see the industrial action called off does not seem likely either.
In which case anyone relying on plane or train travel over the next few months might want to make alternative plans. CLICK HERE If you need information on what to do if you need to cancel your tickets.
Alert: The Local France is having to change with the times and will soon be asking readers to become paying members of our site. Up until April 10th we are offering readers 50 percent off membership so €2.49/month or €24.99/year. CLICK HERE for more information and for how to join.
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If you are coming to France in the next few days and months or you just live in France and rely on train travel then there are quite a few dates to get in your diary. (SEE full calendar below.)
Rail workers have long since made their intentions clear to hold a series of two-day rolling strikes until April 28th.
The first of these two-day strikes was held on Tuesday April 3rd and Wednesday April 4th and rail users were given a sign of what they can expect over the coming weeks with services severely disrupted.
Only one out of eight high-speed TGV trains were running and only a quarter of services in the Paris region.
Rail workers believe the tactic of striking for two days, then returning to work for three days, before another two day strike will maximize the disruption to the rail network whilst not hitting them as hard in the pocket as a continuous rolling strike.
The dates below in blue show when the rail strikes are due to take place. Unions have vowed they will go ahead unless the government backs down on its reform plans. Both sides seem determined to fight their corner so it looks unlikely a compromise will be reached that will see the strikes called off.
Air France workers, including pilots, cabin crews and ground staff, have also been getting in on the action too.
They have been holding a number of one-day strikes since February but have now decided to tighten the screw on company chiefs by announcing four new dates. Significantly they coincide with the rail workers strike as unions for the airline's workers, who are fighting for a 6 percent pay rise, want to maximize disruption.
The four dates announced are April 17th and 18th plus April 23rd and 24th.
The dates in the calendar with a red mark under them are when Air France staff are due to strike in April. On previous strike days around a quarter of flights have been cancelled to and from airports all over France.
With Air France bosses insisting the company will only offer a 1 percent pay rise to staff a compromise that would see the industrial action called off does not seem likely either.
In which case anyone relying on plane or train travel over the next few months might want to make alternative plans. CLICK HERE If you need information on what to do if you need to cancel your tickets.
Alert: The Local France is having to change with the times and will soon be asking readers to become paying members of our site. Up until April 10th we are offering readers 50 percent off membership so €2.49/month or €24.99/year. CLICK HERE for more information and for how to join.
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